



























4 



























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Rifles and Marksmanship. 


WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Spirit of the Times. N. Y. 

36 , 


NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. 










Entered according to Act of Congress, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at 
Washington, D. C., on the 26th day of April, a. d. 1877, by 
The Spirit of the Times. 


ay trttaafer iioo, 
?**t. Office Lite, 
\ *»rU WH4. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Judge Gildersleeve, in writing this Treatise on Rifles and 
Marksmanship for The Spirit of the Times, fulfilled the mission of 
The Spirit, in always being the first and most reliable sporting 
journal in America, ho matter what the line, and filled a void, 
plainly observed by the Creedmoor marksmen, viz., a method 
whereby the beginner, without either coach or spotter,’could become 
an expert rifleman. In order to accomplish this result, he begins 
with the selection of the proper rifle, and by easy stages carries the 
young rifleman from the 100 to the 1,000 yard ranges, explaining 
in detail every peculiarity and trouble experienced by the man 
shooting at a mark for the first time. At the long ranges he is'most 
explicit, calling attention to the variations of light, heat, and wind, 
and their effects on the flight of the bullet. In addition to these in¬ 
structions by Judge Gildersleeve, Colonel JohnBodine (Old Reliable) 
adds a chapter on the Selection and Practice of a Long-range Team. 
General George W. Wingate conducts a match; and to complete the 
work, through the kindness of Sir Henry St. John Halford, Captain 
of the British International Team of 1877, Mr. W. E. Metford, C. E., 
inventor of the celebrated Metford Match Rifle, adds two papers 
on the Trajectory of the Modem Match Rifle. A triple object is thus 
gained in this work. The beginner is taught how to become an 
expert, the expert is taught how to select, practice, and conduct a 
team contest, while to those thoroughly familiar with rifles at the 
long ranges, the articles of Mr. Metford will be found of incom¬ 
parable value. 






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RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


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* CHAPTER I. 

i 

After much persuasion I have reluctantly consented to undertake 
, y d,o give to the public, through the medium of The Spirit op the 
^ Times, the little knowledge of rifles that I possess, and so much of 
my experience in the theory and practice of rifle-shooting as may aid 
those who, for the first time, are seeking exercise and pleasure in the 
use of the rifle. I am the more willing, because I know that young 
» men, and also men whom time has carried on until they can no longer 
be classed with the young, need out-door sport of some kind; and 

* that rifle-shooting affords as exhilarating and harmless a pastime as 
can be found. It is a sport within the limits, to a reasonable extent, 

T of the purse of every man who has any time for recreation while the 

i ,sun is shining, and which, if followed, leaves no lurking desire 
within the breast of a young man to seek amusements and associa¬ 
tions that are only tolerated because partially concealed from the 
gaze of the world by the darkness of night. It is conducive to good 
f habits and worthy aspirations. It helps to keep the mind clear, and 
\ the body sound and strong, thereby contributing to the moral growth 
j and worth of the individual. The diseased frame and the excited 
■\brain yield first to evil temptations, and are more frequently the 
[ abode of wickedness and vice. 

j I consider that the best and cheapest defence of a government 
/ like ours, resting on universal liberty, is to be found in the capacity 
f of its citizens to bear arms. In the days of the Roman and Greek 
>. Republics, every citizen was supposed to be versed in the use of the 

L 





6 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


then existing weapons. The more modern Swiss Republic has main¬ 
tained its position among the powerful and jealous monarchies that 
surround it by educating its citizens to the handling of arms. In 
the middle ages, every Swiss was, or might be, a pikeman of the 
invincible Swiss phalanx ; since the invention of gunpowder, every 
Swiss is supposed to be an expert rifleman, and most of them are, at 
short range. It is no secret to the world that the greatest successes 
of our Revolutionary war, and that of 1812, were due to the large 
proportion of marksmen among our then population, just as the dis¬ 
appearance of that class from our seaboard States had a great deal 
to do with early national disasters of the civil war. 

On these general grounds, and being convinced, as I am, that the 
modern rifle movement in America has been of some benefit to the 
country, I have consented to do what I can toward helping on 
the cause of physical education, by presenting the results of such 
experience as I have attained in the practice of rifle-shooting. I do 
not propose to go into scientific theories, to describe special systems 
of gun-making, or to discuss those points which have been already 
fully treated in the standard works on rifle-shooting. For such 
matters, the reader who is interested in the subject, can consult those 
well-known treatises to which he is referred. The unwritten expe¬ 
rience of a practical rifleman, familiar with match-shooting at all the 
recognized ranges, supplies many hints seldom found in the larger 
works, and these I shall endeavor to supply, so far as my own knowl¬ 
edge extends. 

The right road to the bull’s-eye is not found by intuition. A 
successful rifle-shot is not born, he is made. Experience, study, close 
observation, and careful practice, are absolutely essential to perfec¬ 
tion in the art. Some persons, having superior natural advantages, 
will become good shots quicker than others, but determination and 
intelligence will frequently overcome grave physical defects, even 
those of naturally poor sight, as has been demonstrated in several 
cases. To become a first-class shot requires a great expenditure of 
time, especially if proficiency at the long ranges is required. To be¬ 
come a reliable off-hand marksman, able to enter confidently in a 
majority of matches, is a matter within the capacity of most men of 
intelligence and physical health, with a fair amount of leisure time 
and sufficient means to purchase an outfit and attend a range. In 
many of the States, owing to recent advantages offered by the laws 


rifles and marksmanship. 


7 


to National Guardsmen and Rifle Associations, a complete course of 
instruction in short and mid range military shooting is open to all 
members of the militia, free of expense. In such cases the loss of 
time is the only sacrifice required of the aspirant, and the system of 
instruction requires no comment in these articles, its value being 
proved by the experience of numerous military matches. 

To civilians aiming at success with the sporting rifle solely, either 
with a view to match-shooting at targets or practice at game in the 
field, the want of some practical suggestions and simple manual of 
instruction has been apparent for some time. If any efforts of mine 
can supply this want in a measure, they will accomplish all that I 
intend. I propose to begin with the man who has never fired a rifle 
in his life, to advise him as I should any friend of my own who ap¬ 
plied to me for advice on rifle-shooting, and to carry him along from 
his first efforts till he can strike the bull’s-eye at a thousand yards 
with tolerable certainty. 

The first thing needed is a rifle and its appurtenances. I have 
been asked what kind of rifle I should advise a beginner to procure, 
and whether one kind of rifle can be advantageously employed by 
such a beginner, for both short and long ranges. I should decidedly 
advise our friend to begin with a light rifle, of small bore and mod¬ 
erate charge, as such a rifle has but little recoil, if any, and is per¬ 
fectly accurate up to three hundred yards. If he begins with a long- 
range rifle, which uses heavy charges, he will find so much difficulty 
with the weight of the long barrel and the violence of the recoil, 
that he may become disgusted at an early stage of his experience, 
and give it up. 

The rifle which 1 recommend can now be procured of any reputable 
manufacturer or dealer in breech-loaders, the nature of the breech 
action being a matter of taste and preference. 

The essential points of this rifle are as follows: It should be a 
breech-loader, sporting .40 calibre, chambered for 50 grain centre-fire 
cartridge, 28-inch or 30-inch barrel, half octagon; weight from 7£ 
lbs. to 9 lbs. ; 4 lbs. trigger pull; shot-gun stock, length about 14 
inches, drop about 2£ inches; Beach sight in front; wide V sight 
with platina line on barrel; peep sight plain, on neck of stock ; price 
from $37 up to $64, in proportion to the finish and elaboration of 
the exterior, the sights and other appurtenances. I should recom¬ 
mend the plainest for the beginner. I have placed the description 


RIFLES AND MARKSMAN SHIP. 


in the language of the trade, so that the purchaser can tell his gun- 
dealer what he wants. If in doubt as to where to procure his rifle, 
a reference to the advertising columns of The Spirit will show some 
of the most reliable names in the gun trade, with whom the novice 
can deal safely, assured of honest treatment on telling what he 
wants, referring, if necessary, to this article for explanation. I have 
placed the calibre at .40 as a safe average, but it is by no means 
necessary that this should be strictly adhered to. A rifle, otherwise 
suitable, may be either of a .38 or .42 or even .44 calibre, if the 
purchaser prefers it, and may carry a 70-grain cartridge, if recoil is 
no objection. 

To enable him to understand all the terms, I will add a short and 
familiar explanation. The meaning of .40 calibre is that the diam¬ 
eter of the bore is forty hundredths, or two-fifths of an inch. The 
chamber is at the base of the bore, and a little larger, made to fit a 
certain size of brass shell; the size, in this instance, being sufficient 
to hold fifty grains (Troy) of powder. A half-octagon shape is to 
be recommended for a thirty-inch barrel, partly for its appearance, 
partly because such a barrel generally balances better at the shoulder 
in off-hand shooting. The octagon part is at the breech, and 
changes to a round barrel at the end of the forepiece of the stock. 
The line of division improves the appearance of a long barrel, but 
for one below 28 in. I should prefer it uniform, either round or 
octagon, as a division on such a short barrel gives it a stunted appear¬ 
ance. The limit of weight is 9 lbs., because a beginner is rarely 
able to handle a heavier rifle with ease or comfort to himself ; but 
if it falls below 7i lbs., the recoil becomes excessive, and accuracy 
is impaired. I have placed the trigger pull—that is, the weight nec¬ 
essary to pull the trigger when the piece is cocked—at 4 lbs., so that 
the rifle may be safe to enter in any sporting rifle match, under the 
rules of the National Rifle Associations of England, Canada, or the 
United States. Under these rules, rifles with a trigger-pull under 3 
lbs. are barred out of competitions, and a half pound or pound extra 
gives a safe margin against wear and accidents. To find out the 
pull of your trigger, it is well to keep a trigger tester at home. It 
is easily and cheaply made. Take a piece of heavy, stiff wire, and 
bend one end into a hook, just like a common button-hook. The 
length of the wire, exclusive of the hook, should be about two feet, 
or long enough to clear the end of the butt when in use. At the 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


9 


end of this wire hang a weight of 4 lbs. To use it, cock the piece, 
hook the tester over the trigger, and hold the rifle perpendicular. 
The tester should not pull the trigger unless you give it a jerk to 
increase the weight. On the ranges, the testers weigh just 3 lbs., and 
hang steadily. The object of a 4-lb. pull is to be safe within the 
rules, and still have an easy trigger. 

I recommend a “ shot-gun stock ” instead of the deeply-curved 
“rifle stock,” because it comes to the shoulder in any position more 
quickly. The length and curvature of the stock depends on the 
conformation of the rifleman. A tall, long-armed man, with long 
neck, will need a stock of greater length and drop than the average 
which I have mentioned. A short-necked, short-armed man, will 
need a shorter and straighter stock, but the variations will be quite 
small. If your dealer is personally accessible, you should try differ¬ 
ent stocks, and choose the one that suits you best; that is, the one 
with which you find you can take aim in the shortest time and the 
most convenient manner. Before choosing, however, I should advise 
you to peruse the next of this series of articles, wherein the proper 
position of the rifleman will be fully described. Then you will be 
able to choose the stock which best suits that position. 

I recommend for the front of the rifle what is called the Beach 
sight, because it can be used either as an open or globe sight. This 
contrivance consists of a small metal ring with a pin in the centre, 
and when it is set up erect, the head or “ globe” of the pin should 
be placed just under and touching the ImlVs-eye or other mark. The 
whole sight is placed on a hinge, and can be laid flat on the rifle. 
When it is down, a small brass sight in the centre of the hinge stands 
up, and this is the “ open sight.” On the barrel near the breech I 
advise the wide Y sight, with a platina line in the centre, the same 
as that used in the Martini-Henry rifle. It gives less blur than any 
other sight that I know of. When the brass foresight is just visible 
over the white line in the centre, a very fine aim is taken. These 
open sights are useful for the woods, in gloomy weather, or when 
shooting toward night, at which time the “globe sight” or pin 
would be invisible. On the neck of the stock is the “peep sight,” 
a small steel disk with a pin-hole in the centre, through which the 
aim is taken. This peep sight slides up and down on a scale to suit 
different elevations, and, with the ring and pin, constitutes the 
“ peep-and-globe sight,” the finest and most delicate in common use. 


10 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


It has many modifications, of which you will learn at a later day, 
principally relating to the front sight; and especially to that minute 
point which indicates the true “line of sight,” which is shown in 
many ways. 

Of the peep sight there are two general modifications. These are 
“the common peep sight,” which you are now to use, which slides 
up and down ; and the “Vernier sight,” which is moved by a screw 
and regulated by a delicate Vernier.scale marking hundredths of an 
inch. Both kinds are placed on a hinge, so that, when not in use, 
they can be folded back on the neck of the stock, out of harm’s way. 
The Vernier sight is mostly used for the long-range match rifles, and 
costs much more than the common peep. The common peep-and- 
globe is quite good enough for off-hand shooting, if you cannot 
afford the Vernier. 

I have given a large margin of price, to suit all tastes, and you cam 
obtain accurate particulars by writing to any reputable gun-dealer 
or maker for a price list, where all styles will be found. As I have 
said, I should hardly recommend an expensive fancy rifle for a 
learner, whose requirements are only handiness and accuracy. At the 
present day, when almost all rifles are made by machinery, they are 
generally entirely accurate, if coming from any of the leading firms 
which have a reputation at stake. Such rifles are carefully tested 
within the limits of the range for which they are intended, and only 
need to be held properly to hit the mark every time. Of course, the 
rifle I have recommended, familiarly called the “ Forty-fifty,” will 
not do for long range. It is perfectly accurate up to three hundred 
yards, in any weather, and on a calm day may be used for practice 
at five hundred; but I should not advise its use in any match-shoot¬ 
ing, except at three hundred yards and under. 

So much for the rifle. We have next to speak of ammunition. I 
have been asked whether it is preferable to buy factory ammunition, 
or to load the shells yourself. My advice is, by all means to buy 
the factory ammunition, which is accurate and reliable as a rule, 
coming from those great factories whence the American trade is sup¬ 
plied. Buying factory cartridges saves time and labor. If time is 
not important, and economy an object, the shells should be saved, 
cleaned, and reloaded by the rifleman. It is also well to learn how 
to load your own shells, in case of being at any time away from 
stores, and unable to procure the fixed ammunition. In the event 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


11 


of an expedition which involves such a jaunt, buy a set of loading 
tools, and get a gunsmith to show you how to use them. If pos¬ 
sible, a visit to a large factory, where cartridges are made, will show 
you more about loading than anything else. As a beginner, buy your 
cartridges from any of the recognized makers, of which your gun- 
dealer will inform you. For the rifle I have named you require a 
.40-. 50 centre-fire brass cartridge, with 310 grains of lead in bullet. 
They come in boxes, containing twenty, at 75 cents a box. 

Rifle and ammunition secured, the next thing is, how to take care 
of them. For the rifle you need a case, wiping rods, oil, and clean¬ 
ing rags; for the ammunition, a sling box, made for the purpose. 
We will begin with the case. The best and most convenient I know 
of is made of leather. The leather is first cut into the proper shape, 
then spread out, and the inside covered with melted india rubber, 
over which is placed a layer of Canton flannel, so that the soft, fluffy 
surface is against the gun. The case is then sewed up. This sort of 
case is waterproof, heavy enough to preserve the gun from injury in 
knocking about, and not too bulky. Cheaper cases of duck or 
heavy canvas can be used, if preferred. All cases should have places 
for wiping rods, and a pocket for bottle and cleaning rags. Some¬ 
times these last are kept in a compartment of the ammunition pouches, 
now specially made for fixed ammunition. Of these, there are many 
patterns. I advise one with a shoulder sling, and holding seventy 
or eighty rounds. 

The wiping rods should be two in number, both of hickory or 
lancewood, never of iron. Each may, if you please, have a knob at 
the end, to keep it from slipping quite through the barrel, and 
should be twelve or fifteen inches longer than the bore. The end of 
each, for about four inches, should be flattened out like the head of 
a darning needle, and provided with a narrow slit, two inches long. 
The head of the rod will exactly resemble a great wooden darning 
needle. Each rod should then be “threaded” with a strip of soft 
flannel, six inches long, and one inch and a half wide, or of such size 
as to pass through the bore freely, according to thickness. In the 
bottle keep a mixture of sperm oil and alcohol, about half and half, 
for cleaning after firing. One cleaning rod has its rag wet with this 
mixture, the other has a dry rag. First run the wet rag through the 
bore and remove the powder, then clean with the dry rag. The 
alcohol dries quickly, and serves to distribute the oil evenly over the 


12 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


surface of the bore. During shooting either water or saliva may be 
used to wet the rag. My advice to the beginner is, not to use much 
oil. Wet the cleaning rag, but never have it dripping. In oiling a 
gun before it is put away for the season, the bore should either be 
very lightly oiled or filled quite full of tallow. There is no half way. 

If it is heavily oiled, the liquid has a tendency to collect in drops , and 
leave parts of the hore hare. My experience is that more guns are 
rusted from too much oil than too little. After it has been thor¬ 
oughly cleaned with the mixture, a very little sperm oil may be 
applied, when necessary, to the lock mechanism, it being always 
partially wiped off again, so as not to collect in drops. Wiping 
with a slightly oiled rag is the best way. In putting away a rifle 
for the day or season, cork up the muzzle. Dry the corks in the 
oven, so that no particle of moisture can enter the barrel, and put 
the rifle in a dry, warm place, against a flue or chimney, but never 
against an outside wall. 

The care of fixed ammunition as now made is not by any means 
difficult, for the brass cartridge is almost invulnerable to injury by 
moisture. Rusty green shells are, however, dirty to handle and foul 
a gun. If you have paper-patched bullets, water will wrinkle up 
the patches, and spoil their shooting. On all these accounts it is 
hardly necessary to caution you to keep your ammunition in a dry 
place, and to dry it if it gets wet by accident. 

If you load your own shells, you need a strong, dense, slow- 
burning powder, either Curtis & Harvey’s No. 6, Hazard’s F. Gr., 
Orange Rifle, or some other good brand of rifle powder. Keep it 
in tin canisters with screw tops. Primers are kept in waterproof tin - 
boxes. Buy your bullets .40 cal. 310 grains. Never cast them—it 
does not pay—if you can possibly help it. You may need a cake of 
some hard grease, say tallow and beeswax, about one-eighth inch 
thick, for lubricators. When you wipe between each shot, lubrica¬ 
tors are not needed. In loading shells (the Sharps), use a felt wad 
over the powder before the lubricator. The ordinary Remington 
shell has no lubricator, the bullet-patch being slightly greased ( 
instead. If the lubricator alone is used for a wad, and the shells are 
exposed to the sun in hot weather, it is quite possible that the lubri¬ 
cator may melt into the powder and spoil the shooting. For these 
reasons a felt or pasteboard wad is advised when using lubricators. 
When the bullet or patch is greased, no lubricator is used. Buy 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


13 


your bullets patched, if you can. If not, you must take a bullet 
patch from a cartridge, see how it is done, and imitate the way. It 
needs thin, tough paper, an oblong wet strip of peculiar shape, and 
it is quickly done. Have a little wooden mallet ready on your 
loading table. Take a clean shell, put on a primer, hammer it flat 
on the cartridge-head. Then load. Weigh out the first charge with 
care, and pour out into an empty shell. Shake it up, and mark the 
top of the charge. Cut off the shell above this line, and you have 
a measure, with which you can load very rapidly. First cap all 
your empty shells , then take each up singly. Load with powder, 
shake down, put on a wad and lubricator, then a bullet. Then put 
the cartridge into the bullet-seater, and press it home. You can cut 
out lubricators from a sheet of tallow with a cartridge shell, heated 
to prevent it sticking to the grease. Put your loading powder in a 
saucer or finger-glass. Empty shells must be cleaned before using. 
Put them in a cleaning mixture, and they will come out bright. Sev¬ 
eral cleaning mixtures are used for cleaning shells. Some use two 
parts sulphuric acid, two parts water, one part bichromate of potash. 
Lay shells in mixture, and wash off in hot water; then dry, and 
they will be as bright as when new. Cider vinegar has been used 
to clean shells. They must be wiped dry. Weak hot lye may be 
used also. Extract the old primers before cleaning and using. 

The loading materials and tools are: Primer extractor, primer 
mallet (wood), powder measure (home-made), powder glass or 
saucer, bullet-seater, primers, powder wads, lubricators (when used), 
patched bullets. The tools cost about $5, and are sold by all 
dealers. 


14 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER H. 

We will suppose that our aspirant for skill in marksmanship has 
purchased his outfit, and is ready to commence practice. He goes to 
the range, wherever it may be, at which he is to take his first lessons, 
provided with his rifle in its case, his box of ammunition, rags, wip¬ 
ing rods, etc.; his score-book in his breast pocket, ready for work. 
If he be in New York City or Brooklyn, of course he will go to 
Creedmoor, where he will find all the targets, markers, and conveni¬ 
ences of all sorts that he can possibly require. It may easily hap¬ 
pen, however, that he is elsewhere, far from a well-equipped range, 
and, in that event, he will have to make his own range. Luckily 
for the interests of marksmanship in America, the spread of the rifle 
movement has been so rapid that fair ranges are to be found near 
many of our large towns in the Northern and Eastern States; and 
where they are not, the country will generally offer some sort of a 
lonely place, with a hill behind it, where, with little labor, a third- 
class target may be put up and used to advantage. 

For the benefit of those who have no range near them, and are 
desirous of putting up a target or targets in the cheapest manner, I 
will describe all that is absolutely essential. First, you will want 
what is called a “third-class target.” It is so called, because it is 
the smallest of three kinds used on the range, the first and second 
classes being only used at 400 yards and 
upward. 

This third-class target is 6 ft. high by 4 ft. 
across. From the exact centre (found by 
crossing the two diagonals), draw a circle 8 
in. in diameter, a second 26 in. in diameter, 
a third 46 in. Then fill the centre with 
black, and you have your 8 in. bull’s-eye; 
the next space is the ‘ 4 centre ” ; the next 
“inner”; the rest of the target “outer.” 

Your target will then present the following 
appearance: 




RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


15 


Hits on this target count: Bull’s-eye, 5 ; centre, 4 ; inner, 3 ; 
outer, 2 ; and the aggregate count made by so many shots is called 
a “score.” You will see at once that the highest possible score that 
can be made is all bull’s-eyes, and you will hereafter understand 
what is meant by a “ full score.” So much for the size and the mark¬ 
ing of the target. The next question is as to its material and con¬ 
struction. At Creedmoor and most ranges they are of iron, and, lat¬ 
terly, a good many are of canvas; but when you go to a regular 
range, all that is attended to for you, and you have no trouble. 
When you make your own range and targets, the cheapest way yet 
found is to use a light frame of scantling, the size of the target, to 
cover the same with coarse, cheap muslin or canvas, tacked on, and 
then to paste a paper target, with the proper markings, over the 
canvas. Where only one or two persons shoot, a very convenient and 
cheap target can be made of boards, on a scantling frame the re¬ 
quisite size. Lay out the face as on the canvas, and paint it white, 
with a black bull’s-eye. 

So much for the target. Besides that, you must have a marker, 
and you can very soon drill any intelligent country boy to make a 
very good marker, for about twenty-five cents a practice. In that 
case, however, you must take care he does not bring a crew of his 
friends with him, or they are sure to make your life miserable, run¬ 
ning out near the target at all sorts of times and places. Once for 
all, if you cannot find a quiet place, with a steep hill behind it, you 
had better not make your own range, but wait for an opportunity to 
go to one already established. I will suppose, however, that you 
have such a place, and a smart boy for marker. 

A bank, composed of sand or loam, free from stones, should be 
selected, if possible. If stones are on the surface, or near the surface 
of the ground, the bullets strike, ricochet, and, when this occurs, it 
is always dangerous. When a bullet glances from a stone or other 
hard substance, its direction is very uncertain. I have known serious 
results from ricochets several hundred yards from the point where 
the bullet came in contract with the ground, and far out of the direc¬ 
tion in which the bullet originally took its flight. 

Your marker needs a box of while notarial seals; you can get them 
at any law stationers; also a smaller box of blacJc notarial seals. The 
white are to cover bullet-holes in the target, the black for those in 
the bull’s-eye. You’ll not need many black ones at first. In the ab- 


16 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


sence of seals, black and white paper, and a pot of paste, will answer. 
Next he wants four marking discs, to mark the shots. These discs 
may be made of pasteboard, eight inches in diameter, put on light, 
thin sticks, about six feet long. You can use only one stick if you 
like, by having the sides of the discs of different colors , and a disc 
at each end of the staff. They are as follows: bull’s-eye, white, 
counts 5 ; centre, red, counts 4; inner, white, with a black cross, 
counts 3 ; outer, black, counts 2. Instruct the marker, when a shot 
strikes the target, to place the centre of the disc right over the hole, 
and leave it there for about four seconds, so that it can be noted from 
the firing point and counted. Then he removes the disc, patches the 
hole, and retires. 

These marking discs, for beginners, ought, as I said, to be about 
8 in. in diameter, so as to be readily seen from the firing point. The 
red disc should be of bright vermilion, as inexperienced shots are 
apt to confuse it with the black, if it be dark-tinted. It is well to 
mark each disc in pencil, with its name and number, if your marker 
is new to the work. It saves him from mistakes. If you have 
only two discs, let one be bull’s-eye and centre, the other inner and 
outer. 

If you use the board target, I should advise two “ spotting discs,” 
so called. They are made as follows: Procure two round patches 
of stout harness or sole leather; paint one white, the other black. 
Through the centre of each drive a long nail. The discs should be 
3 in. in diameter. When the marker signals a shot, instead of patch¬ 
ing the hole, he sticks on a spotting disc, and leaves it there, so as to 
be seen from the firing point. You thus have a guide to the position < 
of your last shot. On a second shot, the spotter is moved to the new 
hole, the old one being pegged up. The marker carries a number 
of pegs with him. For the canvas target, use thinner spotting discs 
and a wire hook to hang in the hole. 

The next question is where to put your marker. If you want to 
do everything very cheaply, he hides behind a tree or rock, runs out, 
marks and patches, and then goes back. This, however, is pretty ^ 
slow work. It is better to put him in a pit right under the target, 
where he can see the hole, and immediately mark it. In this way 
you save time; for the marker need not patch till three or four holes 
are in the target, if he is quick and smart enough to distinguish all 
the holes. If you want to save still more time you must have a 


RtB'LES and marksmanship. 


17 


Sash frame in the pit, and pull down your target every shot; after 
marking then patch and put up again. For a beginner, however, 
this is not so necessary. Loss of time is less important to him than 
accuracy, and ten shots in half an hour, accurately recorded and 
deliberately made, are worth three times as many hurriedly made and 
carelessly recorded. 

Whether a pit is used or not you must have two red danger flags, 
one for the marker and one for the firing point. When the. marker 
wants to come out he puts up his flag and leaves it across the target 
till he is ready to mark once more. When his flag goes up, put up 
your own. When you throw down your danger flag he knows that 
you are ready to fire. 

Your marker should carry two or three extra paper targets with 
him to paste on, if two or three practice together, as the target may 
get too ragged to hold the seals; and the more thicknesses of paper 
the better the sound of the target when the bullet strikes it. Of 
course he will need a pot of paste and a brush. 

We will suppose you ready for work. Your camp stool is up, your 
ammunition box opened, and you have taken your seat with your 
rifle lying across your knees, the muzzle to the target. The case is 
off, and you see your new rifle all ready for work. Perhaps you have 
a friend with you as inexperienced as yourself; but I think you will 
do better at first to practice alone. It steadies the nerves. If you 
have an old rifle shot, of good record , with you, so much the better. 
He can give you hints of some value. There is one advantage in the 
publicity of modern rifle shooting, that you can gauge a man’s 
powers by his published scores; and if you cannot find these, dis¬ 
trust boasts. 

How the target is all ready, the marker waiting. It is time to 
begin. Your firing point is at one hundred yards, and the target 
looks huge. I recommend you to begin at that distance, because it 
is important that you should hit the target, first shot, somewhere; 
and, if you are commonly intelligent, you can hardly do otherwise 
than hit it, first time, with a rifle and sights such as I have described 
to you, if coming from any reputable maker. If you don’t, it is 
your own fault, and not that of the rifle; for I have found that 
almost all rifles, with good ammunition, shoot correctly, if the sights 
are properly adjusted, and if they are held right. Therefore, it is 
time you begin to learn how to hold a rifle. 

First, put up your Beach sight, and raise the peep sight to the 


18 


BIBLES AND MABKSMANSHIP. 


hundred yards mark. Never mind a cartridge just yet. Now rise 
and go to the firing point. Carry the rifle in your right hand, and 
set down the butt on the toe of your boot, as soon as you are at the 
firing point. Remember to use your arms as little as possible, and 
to nurse your left arm especially. They have to do all the work, 
and if you weight them too soon, they will tremble and make your 
aim unsteady. Therefore, stand a moment resting, and look at the 
target. Now throw up your rifle with the right hand, and rest the 
butt on your right hip, the left hand still hanging. The left does 
most of the aiming, and must be saved at all times. 

Now, then, Ready ! 

Stand erect, the left foot pointing to the target, the right foot 
thrown back, the toes a little turned in but nearly at right angles to 
each other, both feet flat on the ground; drop the rifle into the left 
hand, the right hand catching it at the small of the stock, the muzzle 
as high as the eye which looks at the target. The body must be 
erect on the hips, the whole attitude firm and steady. Now cock 
the piece. To give you an idea of the correct position, you can look 
at this cut. 



It TITLES AND MABKSMANSHlD. 


19 


Don’t stand any longer at a “ready” than you can help. It will 
tire the arms. Come quickly to 

Aim! 

Throw out the rifle to the length of your arms, and bring it in with 
both hands, the butt to the shoulder, right elbow up to the height of 
the shoulder, the left elbow out in front of the body, well under the 
rifle, the forearm at a small angle from the perpendicular. Look 
through the peep sight at the bull’s-eye, and try to bring the pin of the 
Beach sight with its head just under and touching the bull’s-eye. I 
would advise you to use the second finger of the right hand to pull 
the trigger, instead of the forefinger, which should extend along the 
lock-plate. My reasons are twofold. In the first place, you get a 
stronger brace with the right hand, and relieve the left by just so 
much. In the second, you use a stronger finger to pull the trigger, 
and can graduate your force so as to disturb your aim in the least 
possible manner. The only reason you miss is that in pulling the 
trigger, you pull your front sight away from the bull’s-eye, or pull 
when the front sight is not properly adjusted, and when the gun 
goes off the muzzle is not pointed as it should be. The whole secret 
of making a bull’s-eye is to get the pin of the Beach sight just under 
it, and keep it there until the bullet has left the muzzle. You see 
how it dances about now. Get it steadier, and then pull the trigger. 
You see that when you pulled that ti*ie the front sight went away 
from the bull’s-eye Come to a ready, cock the rifle, and try again. 
To assist you in getting the correct position, you can look at the cut 
on next page (p. 20). 


20 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 



Between each trial, drop th§* butt of your piece on the toe of the 
right boot, out of the mud, and rest your arms, then come to a ready 
and aim. Look at the bull’s-eye, not the sight. The left arm will 
guide the sight into its place instinctively. Remember you have 
only one thing to attend to, with a peep and globe sight: To bring 
the head of the pin under the bull’s-eye. 

That is the reason I have told you to begin with the Beach sight 
and peep. With open sights you have two things to attend to, be¬ 
sides the mark; with peep and globe only one, in addition to the 
task, in both instances, of keeping.the rifle perpendicular, a position 
that should be always scrupulously maintained. Now you might 
try the sight again, still with the empty rifle. Nothing like that 
sort of drill for giving steadiness, and accustoming the beginner to 
the feel of his rifle. It costs nothing to miss this way, and is good 
practice for the oldest of shots. Hold the butt tight to the shoulder, 
for you’re to use a cartridge very soon, and the recoil needs a firm 
hold to avoid kicking. In pulling the trigger, use the middle joint 









RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


21 


of the finger, not the tip. You have more strength so. Pull, or 
rather close the grasp very gradually. You will feel the trigger 
yield slowly. Continue the pressure until the discharge takes place, 
provided your aim remains steady and true. If your aim becomes 
imperfect, cease the pressure on the trigger at once, relax the mus¬ 
cles, and allow the rifle to move about for a few seconds. Then 
steady it again, and renew the pressure as soon as your aim is per¬ 
fect. If, after three or four trials of this kind, you have not fired, 
take down the rifle, rest for a few seconds, and then begin again, 
with the same formality and care as at first. So continue until you 
have discharged your rifle to the very best advantage your ability 
and condition will admit. 

We will suppose that you have snapped the rifle about half a 
dozen times, and have found that you can keep the head of the 
pin under the bull’s-eye, without pulling off. Now you can go back 
to your seat and rest a little, with the rifle over your knees. I don’t 
want you to tire your arms so that you will tremble in aiming. Of 
course you will have remembered to take a full breath, and hold it 
while aiming. You cannot hold steady while you are breathing. 
Now open the chamber of the rifle, put in a cartridge, shut the cham¬ 
ber, walk to the firing point, throw down the danger flag, rest a 
moment, butt of the rifle on the toe of the boot, then throw up the 
piece and come to a ready. 

Now take it coolly, cock the piece, and aim through the peep 
sight. How the pin dances about! That is because you know there 
is a load in, and you’re nervous. Put down the piece again, and rest. 
Now, take a deep breath, and aim. When the pin touches the bull’s- 
eye, press the trigger gently, and remember what I said about con¬ 
tinuing the pressure till you fire. 

Bang! 

First shot. Come to a ready, throw open your chamber, extract 
the cartridge, and wipe out the barrel, while you are watching the 
target. You hit that time. See! There comes the disc—black— 
and climbs up to the upper right-hand comer of the target. You 
made a high outer, to the right. Counts you two. Put it down in 
your score-book, with the necessary remarks, under the proper 
columns, of light, weather, and so on. It is a modest beginning, 
but you know that you are on, any way, and that is something. 
Had you missed, it would have discouraged you very much, for you 


22 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


would have been unable to tell where your mistake lay. Now you 
know that in pulling off you moved your sight to the right and 
jerked it up a little. 

Put in another cartridge, and try again. If your sight fails from ( 
straining, put down the rifle and wait. Never hurry, for the target 
will wait for you. Once mere, and remember not to pull high. 

Bang! 

Much better. See. There comes the black cross, familiarly called 
the “magpie.” An inner, to the right, and near the centre line. 
You came nearer that time. Counts you three. Score it down. 
Two shots, score 5. 

Sit down, and run the wiping rod through the barrel with the 
oiled flannel. It will clean the barrel, rest you, and take away your 
attention from the state of your nerves. You have one advantage 
in the gun I have recommended, that there is so little recoil that it 
does not trouble you. Once more, ready! Slip in a cartridge, 
walk to the firing point, take a good breath, aim, fire. 

Bang! 

A miss. How do I know ? I should have heard the bullet on the 
target if you had hit. Besides, I noticed that you were getting too 
confident. You thought you knew all about it, and you let your 
muzzle sway to the left. Instead of holding the pin steady, you 
trusted to luck, and fired when you thought it was somewhere near 
the bull’s-eye. You see it wasn’t. 

How much variation is it safe to allow ? Well, a simple calcula¬ 
tion will show you. The sight is about one yard from your eye, the 
target is one hundred times as far off. To miss that target your 4 
bullet must go just twenty-four and a half inches away from the 
centre to either side, or thirty-seven inches high or low. One hun¬ 
dredth of twenty-five inches is a quarter of an inch. If you sway the 
pin a quarter of an inch to either side of that bull’s-eye, you miss 
the target. If you rise or drop half an inch , you strike the ground, 
or waste your shot in the air. To make a centre shot at one hundred 
yards, your limit of deviation must be less than the eighth of an inch. 
At two hundred yards that deviation will make a clean miss , and at 
three hundred you must keep inside of a circle of one-twelfth of an 
inch , if you hope to get on the target at all. Now you can score 
down that miss. Never forget to score misses, they are more import¬ 
ant than hits. Then take a fresh cartridge, and cogitate over the 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


23 


practice of rifle shooting. There is only one way to make a good 
score. That is, be satisfied with nothing short of a bull’s-eye, culti¬ 
vate steadiness of hand and eye, and never fire until you think you 
can make a bull’s-eye. 

Another cartridge. Ready again! Aim! Take it coolly, and 
remember that the pin must just touch the bull’s-eye when you fire. 

Bang ! 

That was better. I shouldn’t wonder if you made a centre. No, 
it was an inner to the left, on a line with the bull’s-eye. You cor¬ 
rected a trifle too much for the pull, and your rear sight was askew 
a trifle, but it’s close to the centre line. Take another cartridge, and 
fire your fifth shot. It will be enough for your first lesson. 

Steady now! take a rest, with the butt on the ground or the toe 
of your boot. When your arms feel quite rested, try again. Ready ! 
Now remember to keep the line, and not to sway. Aim ! Take your 
time. 

Bang! 

Last shot. Low inner. A little more and you would have made a 
centre. As it is, you dropped the muzzle when you fired, your left 
arm being tired. Now let’s see how that score looks. 2 3 0 3 3— 
11, out of a possible 25, not quite 50 per cent., but quite good for a 
beginner. That comes of a light rifle, small charges, and peep sights. 
Had you been using open sights, the score would have been 0 0 2 0 2, 
or even less, in all probability. Now we will wipe out the rifle care¬ 
fully, clean it of all dirt, give it a slight dose of oil, put it in the 
case, and tramp home, while I tell you about how to perfect yourself 
in aiming; how to gain what hunters call a “ quick cover,” how to 
improve your shooting with the least possible expenditure of ammuni- 
ion, and how to correct prominent faults of position. 



24 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER III. 


Our young marksman has now started on the right road. He has 
found that he can hit the target whenever he chooses, and the next 
question with him is how to make a bull’s-eye. To attain this end, 
it is not always good economy to go to the range day after day, 
firing away ammunition. That will come very soon, but first there 
is the whole art of handling a rifle, which can be better learned in ' 
one’s own room, with an empty gun, than on the range. 

You remember how we started with the target and the empty gun 
before using a cartridge ? Well, that practice is the foundation of 
success in all sorts of shooting. An old rifle shot, who has been out 
of practice for some time, will take this up anew every time he goes 
into training for a new match. It is a common thing with good 
duck shots, for some weeks before the season opens, to practice this 
aiming drill in their own rooms with empty guns, aiming at small 
objects, and frequently changing the aim in different directions, to 
get into the habit of what sportsmen call “ quick cover,” that is 
quick and correct aim. 

When you get home, and have put away your traps, take all the 
spare time you have for this aiming drill. Put up a white card 
against the wall, with a very small tack in the middle, to keep it up ' 
and represent a bull’s-eye. Let this miniature target have a good 
light on it, and then go to the other side of the room and aim at it. 
You must take care that there is a good light on the fore sight of 
your rifle, too, or the pin will become practically invisible. Aim at 
this miniature again and again till you can feel dead sure of a bull’s- 
eye every time. A week’s practice will do wonders to educate eye 
and muscles. It is all a matter of practice, and nothing else will ’ 
give you the requisite steadiness. t 

Besides this aiming drill, I have been asked to give my views as 
to “ candle practice,” “ Wingate’s Indicators,” and the use of gal- 
lery practice to make good shots. I will endeavor to be explicit on 
all points. 

Candle practice, so called, is chiefly used in military shooting, 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


25 


with a percussion cap, or an empty shell provided with a primer. 
The marksman aims at the wick of a candle, placed three feet from 
the muzzle of the gun, and, if it is correctly aimed, the explosion of 
® the cap or primer is supposed to extinguish the light. So it does; 
\ but the trouble with candle practice is the uncertainty of results. 
The light is extinguished by the current of air forced from the gun 
barrel by the effects of the percussion. This current of air is easily 
disturbed and broken by a draft that cannot be detected. Again, 
the direction of the current is by no means certain with a modem 
rifle ; the rifling does not seem to produce a uniform current. If a 
smooth bore rifle can be had for candle practice, the results will be 

* found quite certain, and the practice much more satisfactory. 

Wingate’s Indicators are a new and ingenious contrivance for test¬ 
ing accuracy of aim, and, so far as I have used them, I have found 
them very reliable. They are made as follows: A brass tompion is 
fitted into the muzzle of the gun, and has a square aperture in the 
middle, through which slides freely a square steel rod, carefully 
oiled. One end of this rod is furnished with a wooden butt and 

* brass plug. This end goes down the barrel and rests against the fir¬ 
ing pin of the rifle. The other end, outside the muzzle, is furnished 
with a short steel pointer, which runs on the exact line of the front 
sight. The piece is cocked, held upright, and aimed at a miniature 
target, about two feet from the muzzle. The blow of the hammer 
sends the pointer out about three feet, and it sticks in the target. It 
has been tested by the inventor, and others, from a fixed rest, and 
found to travel quite straight. It is intended to be used with minia¬ 
ture targets, scores to be taken as at Creedmoor, with actual shots. 

I am inclined to think that the indicator may be made useful as 
an adjunct of aiming drill. It is certainly an improvement on candle 
practice. I would caution the beginner, however, against trusting 
I to the scores he makes with the indicator on a scaled target, as any 
criterion of what he will do on the range. He cannot expect it. If 
he will use the indicator along with aiming drill, he will find it 
interesting and amusing, and it will help him on in his task—the 
acquirement of ease and dexterity in handling the rifle. 

_ The next point is gallery shooting. This bears the same relation 
to the indicator that the latter does to aiming drill, and that field 
shooting does to gallery shooting. It is a step in advance. You 
can find very accurate air rifles at most German galleries, and small 
2 



26 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


calibre breech-loaders at others. At very few, however, are the 
small calibre rifles to be wholly relied on. In using the gallery 
rifles, always select, if you can, those with a trigger-pull as near that 
of your own rifle as possible. So much of the success of your shoot¬ 
ing depends on the sensitiveness of your trigger finger, that it is 
important to get it into such training that it acts mechanically along 
with the eye and left hand. Changing from hair triggers to three 
or four pound pulls and back is very demoralizing. The real fact is 
that you will probably never shoot well as long as you change rifles 
often. Choose one and stick to it. You can, however, use all of 
these aids—aiming drills, indicators, and gallery practice for a week 
or two, if not more, before you go on the range again. I took you 
there first with an actual rifle that you might form a notion of the 
real tangible difficulties of rifle shooting, and realize the fact that the 
whole secret of success is in pulling the trigger when the sight is cor¬ 
rectly aligned on the bull's-eye. Two or three weeks’ constant drill 





RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


27 


has given you the power of doing this with a gun without recoil, 
now you must learn how to stand and correct errors of position with 
a charge in the gun. 

There are two great schools of position in rifle shooting, and men 
> are found that shoot well in both. One is called the German school, 
and is illustrated in the cut on opposite page, in which its faults are 
by no means exaggerated. 

This school originated in the use of twelve and fifteen pound tar¬ 
get rifles, with hair triggers, magnifying sights, and a short strut 
and knob under the stock, to rest in the left hand. These rifles are 
so heavy that it is necessary to rest the elbow of the left arm on the 
hip, in order to hold them up with ease, and the right arm is thrown 
up nearly as high as the top of the head, which brings up the sights 
to the eye, and prevents the necessity of bending the neck far over. 

These heavy target rifles have been abandoned by the modern 
school of riflemen. They shoot very accurately, it is true ; still they 
are not practical weapons. Their weight prevents their use as hunt¬ 
ing rifles, and the modern school knows but two kinds of rifle— 
military and sporting. A rifleman educated at Creedmoor finds him¬ 
self very quickly at home in the hunting field, where one trained in 
the German school has to use a totally different weapon from that to 
which he is accustomed in rifle practice. 

The prevalence of German marksmen in the United States, as well 
as the old telescope rifle small-bore clubs, have, however, introduced 
into modern off-hand shooting a sort of composite position which is 
very common on the range, and with which some men shoot very 
< well. It is that illustrated in the cut, and the first thing to be 
remarked is its stiffness and awkward appearance. The elbow rests 
on the breast, and the beating ©f the heart disturbs the aim to a cer¬ 
tain degree. I have been asked whether this position, or anything 
like it, is allowable or to be recommended. I answer, certainly not 
to be recommended, but still allowable. Some men of peculiar con¬ 
formation can shoot in no other way, but there is hardly any man 
' who, if he will assiduously practice the regular position given in the 
last article, will not find that he shoots better for it in the end. A 
steady persistence in the aiming drill, with the left elbow away from 
the body, will finally educate the muscles into their work, and the 
sight, which used to dance and sway about all over the target, will 
settle and become steady as in any other position. 


28 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


The advantage of holding out the left arm and grasping the rifle 
firmly is especially apparent in shooting matches in a high wind. In 
the German' position, the body and rifle are alike swayed by the 
wind, on account of the long leverage offered by the rifle, when both 
hands are so close to the stock. The left hand, well out, controls 
the piece better, and if it cannot be held so long, that is rather an 
advantage, as tending to encourage quick aim. In field shooting, 
the German position is nearly impracticable, and to develop good 
shooting in a “ time match,” where only a few seconds are allowed 
for each shot, the “regular ” position is undoubtedly the only one 
offering a chance of success. I have said thus much about positions, 
because they are all matters of habit and practice, and it is far better 
to begin right and acquire good habits. The German position is 
undoubtedly very attractive for beginners, as it seems to tire the left 
arm less than the regular position, but when the latter is well mas¬ 
tered, in my own experience it has been found the best for off¬ 
hand shooting. 

Now that you have practiced on position and aiming so that you 
feel confident of making centres all the time with the indicator, and 
can average better than inners in the gallery, it is time that you go to 
the field again, and practice once more at the hundred yards’ target. 
This time you may fire twenty or thirty rounds, keeping a careful 
score all the while, and you ought to find it much easier. In your 
first ten shots, with care, you ought nearly to average inners, and the 
last ten ought to score you at least thirty-five points, including 
bull’s-eyes, and allowing for one or two careless outers. Remember 
that you have a very fine shooting rifle, with delicate sight, very light 
recoil, and that the target is twice the size of any that you will ever 
shoot on in a match; where the shortest distance is 200 yards, with 
the same target you are now using. When you have made your first 
bull’s-eye, it will encourage you greatly and with a week’s further 
practice at one hundred yards, with the rifle I have recommended, 
you should be able to average 40 out of 50 in calm, bright weather. 

When you can do that, it is time you went back to 150 yards and 
tried the same course, or say twenty shots, one box a day, for another 
week. You will find it half as difficult again as the first range, but 
your previous experience will help you amazingly, and you will 
average centres at the close of the week, if you will only keep out 
of careless, bad habits. When you can depend on 40 out of 50 at 


ttIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP* 


29 


150 yards, you can go back to 200 yards, and now you will remem¬ 
ber that you are becoming a good off-hand shot, for almost all the 
short-range prizes are contested at 200 yards, standing, in the United 
States. 

With your previous practice, you ought to be able to make at least 
30 out of 50 on your first trials at 200 yards, but you will find that 
bull’s-eyes are by no means as easy of attainment. If you are sure 
of an average of centres after a week’s practice, you are doing 
wonderfully well, for this is as much as the great majority of crack 
shots can count upon in off-hand shooting. Such scores as 44 and 
46 out of 50 are very rare, and the man who can go into a match 
perfectly confident of 40 points all the time, can generally make out 
to come on the prize list by the aid of one or two bull’s-eyes. 

When you enter your first match, however, you need not expect to 
shoot as well as you have done at practice. The novelty of every¬ 
thing, the sense of competition, the remarks of rivals, the anxiety, 
all will tend to shake your nerves, and make your hand tremble, so 
that the sight dances all over the target. You need not be 
astonished if you make a miss. Remember what we found out at the 
beginning of our practice, that the difference between a bull’s-eye 
and a miss at 200 yards is just one-eiglith of an inch. A very slight 
tremor will give that deviation of an eighth to the pin of your front 
sight. 

Now then comes the main question of success in rifle shooting, 
how to keep your nerves steady and your eyesight clear. You have 
learned in your late lessons the theory and part of the practice; now 
is the time to show it. You know how it ought to be done, the 
question is, can you do it ? If you cannot shoot as well in a match 
as in practice, you have no right to call yourself a marksman, or to 
count on yourself as a rifleman in the field; for there is nothing at 
a rifle match half so disturbing to the nerves as “ buck fever” in 
the field. Therefore, let me advise you on your conduct during 
matches and before them. 

In the first place you should avoid spirituous liquors, and cigars, 
or tobacco in any form. They tend to shake your nerves and impair 
your eyesight. You should live generously but temperately, as 
regards eating and drinking, and take as much out-door exercise as 
possible. The better your health, and the nearer you are to what 
athletes call “condition,” the cooler will be your head, the steadier 


BO 


Ml'LES and madNsmanshiD. 


your nerves. Abstinence from sensual indulgence of all kinds is 
especially advisable, for some time before and during a match, as 
few things are more fatal to nerve and vision than dissipation. Late 
hours and gas-lighted theatres are very injurious to the eyesight. In 
short, to be able to retain a cool, clear head, and make good shooting 
at a match, a man must lead a sober and virtuous life. If he cannot 
do this, he might better drop match shooting, for he will never make 
a reliable shot. This feature of the modern rifle movement is really 
one of its best points, inasmuch as its practice tends directly to draw 
young men away from bad habits and toward good ones, mental 
and physical. 

On the morning of a match it is well to take a hearty breakfast. 
Of course you should go to bed early and get a good night’s rest 
before it. If you are in several matches during the day, a heavy 
dinner is not to be advised, and beer, wine, or spirits, will ruin your 
shooting for the afternoon. It is equally bad, however, to take 
no sustenance at midday. The sinking feeling of the stomach at 
that hour will cause a tremor of the muscles and nerves unless food 
be taken, whereas a light lunch will make you as steady as ever. So 
much for the physical conditions. 

Mentally, my advice is to keep cool, think only of keeping the 
head of the foresight under the bull’s-eye, and of shooting 
your best. Never ask after other men’s scores, and don’t be dis¬ 
heartened if you make an inner, an outer, or a miss. Keep on shoot¬ 
ing, but take your time, and remember that other people’s nerves 
may fail them as well as yours. Carry your gun as little as you 
possibly can, and rest your arms. Enter early and get your score 
tickets, find the target you are assigned to, and study the ground of 
that, and go nowhere else. Don’t bother your head about what is 
going on at other targets. G-et a camp stool and sit down, if you 
can, till your turn comes. When your name is called, go to your post 
with your rifle and the exact number of cartridges required. Always 
take your sighting shots, if any are allowed. If you doubt your 
nerves or the elevation of your sight, take the first shot kneeling or 1 
lying down, the second standing. Correct your elevation if you 
find yourself going high or low. I would advise wiping between 
the shots, if it be allowed. Speak little, and only on business, to 
the scorer. Watch the target as if you were at practice, but it is 
not wise to alter an elevation after you have once begun to fire 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


81 


scoring shots. Yon ought to know your rifle before you enter, and 
have the exact elevation marked on the scale of the peep sight. A 
hundred yards is the same distance on any regular range, and one 
sight ought to be sufficient at such a short distance as is used in off¬ 
hand matches. If you find yourself shooting high or low, it is prob¬ 
ably due to your own excitement, for I have observed that most 
people are much quicker to learn points about the adjustment of 
sights to suit light, shade and wind, than they are to acquire steadi¬ 
ness of aim and proper trigger pull. 

Do not endeavor to calculate from shot to shot, as you proceed 
with your score, what the aggregate will be. Do your best at every 
shot, and let the aggregate take care of itself. 

Finally, if you do poorly in one match you may do better in the 
next. Stick to one rifle, shoot nothing else. Do not be led into 
changing rifles or trying experiments during a match. Copy your 
score cards into your score-book, invariably, with the proper remarks, 
and treat the match as a practice, in all respects. 


32 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER IV. 


I shall now assume that the pupil has become fairly proficient in 
off-hand shooting up to the usual limit—two hundred yards. I have 
carried him on to match-shooting at that range, because I think that 
it is best to master one thing at a time, and to exhaust all the possi¬ 
bilities of off-hand practice before undertaking the long range. The 
advantage of this course is found in the fact, that the beginner be¬ 
comes a practical shot, able to go after game, in the shortest possi¬ 
ble space of time. A large proportion of all four-footed game is 
killed inside of one hundred yards, and two hundred makes a very 
long shot, so that a man who can count on an average of centres at the 
last distance is pretty sure to strike a deer in the right place, after a 
little practice at moving objects. The “running deer” at Creed- 
moor makes a very good preparatory exercise for hunting practice, and 
may be used with advantage by residents of New York and its 
vicinity, able to spare an occasional day for the purpose. 

Keeping in mind the precept that practice makes perfect, I earn¬ 
estly recommend the young rifleman, during the rest of the course 
hereafter described, never to neglect his off-hand shooting, but to 
keep it up whenever he has a chance. Nothing is so apt to deterio¬ 
rate from want of practice as off-hand shooting, depending, as it 
does, on so many muscles acting together, and demanding such 
exact steadiness of nerve. For rapid shooting constant practice is 
absolutely necessary. It sometimes happens, in hunting, that a view 
is caught of game beyond the distances I have mentioned, and it 
also happens very frequently that the game is lying down or feed¬ 
ing, unconscious of the hunter’s approach, just within the extreme 
practical range of the rifle I have hitherto described. Such a rifle 
is fit for off-hand shooting up to three hundred yards, and on a still 
day can be used at five hundred. I should advise the beginner, 
however, to drop off-hand shooting outside of two hundred yards, 
except for a special target match at that range, such as The Spirit 
of the Times Badge match. Off-hand shooting at three hundred 
yards is one of the most difficult things in the whole practice of 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


33 


rifle shooting, an average of centres being very difficult to obtain. 
The reason is simple. The third-class target being used, the appar- 
, ent height of the whole target as seen through the front sight is only 
six twenty-fifths or not quite one-fourth of an inch ; the apparent 
^ diameter of the centre is a trifle over one-twelfth of an inch ; that of 
the bull’s-eye less than one thirty-sixth of an inch. I do not wish the 
reader to misunderstand the use of these terms—“ apparent ” height, 
diameter, size. Nothing is more deceptive to the eye than size, 
without a standard with which to compare it. Look at the target 
; with the naked eye and you are ready to swear that it looks taller 
than a quarter of an inch. Look at it through the peep-sight, and 
you will find that the ring of your Beach sight in front, which is 
one yard from your eye, takes in the whole target, with a wide 
margin all around. Your Beach sight, you will find, measures less 
than half an inch across inside the ring. Thus it will be seen 
what very slight tremor marks the difference between a bull’s-eye, 
centre, inner, or miss. It is time, therefore, for the marksman to 
learn how to assume a steadier position for deliberate shooting so 
fine as that henceforth required. I should advise him now to go 
back to two hundred and fifty yards, and practice kneeling and 
lying down, head to target. I shall begin with kneeling. 

The object of kneeling is to obtain a steadier aim than can be 
obtained standing. The regular military instruction for assuming 
this position is as good as can be devised, and contains all the 
essentials of a good posture. I shall only point out some practical 
faults liable to be committed by beginners, and how to remedy 
them. The directions in tactical language are substantially as fol¬ 
lows : Fire kneeling—Kneel! Bring the left toe square to the 
front. Plant right foot so that the toe shall ~be twelve inches to the 
rear and twelve inches to the left of the left heel , the feet at right 
angles. Kneel on right knee, bending the left. The piece is supported 
in aiming by the left elbow resting on the left knee. The mistakes of 
a beginner in kneeling are, resting the elbow above the knee on the 
' soft muscle, which causes the piece to shake about, and not knowing 
what to do with the right foot. The position is by no means as easy 
as it looks. The body and muscles ought to be at rest as much as 
possible, no exertion being used to maintain the position. Every 
ounce of strain on the muscles makes the piece unsteady. The elbow 
should not be on the knee , but in front of the knee , so that there is the 


34 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


least amount of motion in the left arm. The right foot should be 
nearly upright, and the marksman should sit on the right heel as far 
as he can. The position must be practiced by each individual in 
conformity with his physical peculiarities, remembering to begin 
with the empty gun, till he finds that he can take a perfectly steady 
aim with the least possible exertion. When he has mastered that, he 
ought to be able to make respectable scores at 250 yards, kneeling, 
the difference in steadiness fully compensating for the increase of 
distance over 200 yards. To average centres at the next range— 
300 yards—it will be necessary to improve still further on steadiness 
of position, so as to secure something which will reduce the tremor 
of the front sight inside of one-twelfth of an inch, and, if possible, 
inside of the thirty-sixth of an inch. To secure such a position one 
must lie down , beginning with the military position, head to target. 

The military position, face down, head to target, is as great an 
advance over kneeling as the latter is over off-hand work, for steady 
aim at small marks. Both have the further advantage that they are 
calculated for hunting shots at long range, when the rifle can often 
be rested on a log or bank. On the rifle range, however, such a rest 
is inadmissible, the rules prohibiting any “artificial rest.” The 
single defect of the face-downward lying position, for level ground, 
is that the end of the barrel requires an exertion of the muscles to 
keep it up, a fault which you will hereafter find remedied, when I 
come to describe the “back position.” We will begin to examine 
the lying-down position, which you will see illustrated in the accom¬ 
panying cut. 



This is the favorite position of the old deerstalker, and many a 
buffalo has been dropped in his tracks from a “wallow,” by a 
hunter lying in just such a position. It exposes the least possible 
surface of the body to the view of game or enemies, and is particu¬ 
larly handy when a log or stump is in front of the hunter, on which 
he can rest his rifle. On a range no such rest is allowable, but the 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


35 


level ground serves as a support for the elbows of the marksman, 
and he will find himself much steadier than when he was kneeling. 
The position looks quite easy, but I can assure you that it is by no 
means the case. A man has to learn how to fire lying down, just as 
much as when standing up or kneeling, and should certainly begin 
in the same way, that is, with the empty rifle. You have no con¬ 
ception how easy it is to miss a target at lying down distance till 
you have tried it. In the first place you will find your position 
strained and unnatural when you try to take aim, especially if the 
ground slopes ever so little, to ward the target or mark. You have 
to throw your head so far back that your neck is cramped. If you 
can secure a little roll of the ground, so that your elbows will rest 
two or three inches higher than the place where your body comes, 
the posture will be much easier. If you are going in for a day’s 
lying down practice, you will now need, in addition to your camp- 
stool and other traps, a blanket or rug to lay on the ground and 
keep your clothes from injury. If the ground be unfavorable for 
an easy position, you can roll up the front end of the blanket, so as 
to make a cushion for your elbows, which will give you so much 
advantage. Some men use a cocoa door-mat for the purpose, with 
great advantage. To prepare for lying down, spread your rug, 
have your cartridges ready, then take your rifle in the right hand, 
muzzle to target, drop on both knees, thence on all fours, laying 
down the rifle on the rug. Now lie down flat on the stomach, 
advancing the left shoulder, so as to get the left elbow on the ground 
to the front. That left arm, you will remember, is to be your rest 
for the rifle, and the nearer you can get it to absolute immobility the 
steadier will be your aim. The muscles will only be used to guide 
the front sight to the right spot. The legs should be straight, and 
may be close together. I believe, however, that the greatest steadi¬ 
ness is secured by separating the legs two or three feet, both 
toes turned out, so as to bring feet, legs, and body in the closest 
possible contact with the ground. The body should not lie straight 
toward the target in the line of fire, but from the shoulders down 
should incline to the left, so that the line of recoil may be outside of 
the column of the body. This position also facilitates the disposi¬ 
tion of the elbows, enables you to hold the piece with more comfort 
and ease, and the recoil is much less severe than it would be other¬ 
wise. The left elbow should be about ten inches in advance of the 
right, which holds the piece to the shoulder. 


36 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


Now cock the rifle, after seeing that your rear sight is at the correct 
elevation, pass it to the left hand, and bring it to the shoulder, as in 
the figure. You must be careful that the heel of the butt presses 
against the soft muscles of the shoulder , not against the collar-bone , or 
you will suffer severely from the recoil when you come to use heavy 
charges. You must also remember to press the butt firmly to the 
shoulder with both hands. This will not be absolutely necessary 
with the light charges that you have been hitherto using, but you 
are learning how to shoot at long range. You will soon be firing 
90 or 100 grains of powder, instead of 50, from a rifle so little 
heavier that the recoil will be at least double what you have 
hitherto experienced. You must, therefore, begin to study recoil. 
Remember that if your present charges leave you with a shoulder a 
little sore at the close of a morning’s shooting, you will soon be 
crippled by a 90-grain cartiidge. The best time for you to acquire 
a good position is now , when you can master the recoil anyhow, 
and it must be your study to reduce it to a minimum. 

Your position being taken, commence your aiming drill with 
the empty rifle, and practice till you find that you can pull off, 
leaving the front sight entirely motionless, while the right arm and 
shoulder take up the imaginary recoil. Then take a rest, letting the 
rifle lie. When you feel that you can aim without a sense of dis¬ 
comfort, load your rifle, and begin to fire, noting each shot in the 
score-book, as before. I should advise the learner to keep on with 
lying down practice at the third-class target at three hundred yards, 
till he can once more depend on an average of centres, before pro¬ 
ceeding any further. He can, of course, vary his practice by kneel¬ 
ing and off-hand shots at intervals, but it is doubtful if he will 
ever average centres at this distance in any position but lying 
down, on account of the very small margin of error allowable. 
To give the reader a realizing idea of this margin, let him draw a 
third-class target, one quarter of an inch high, one-sixth of an inch 
across, with a spot in the centre one-thirty-sixth of an inch in 
diameter. Place this target one yard from your eye, and you have 
the exact appearance of a third-class target and bull’s-eye, through 
the front sight , at three hundred yards. Having thoroughly mastered 
the lying down and kneeling positions, and practiced off-hand at 
three hundred yards till you can depend on an average of inners, 
with an occasional centre, it is now time to advance to the mys¬ 
teries of long range, by learning the “back positions” used with 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


37 


match rifles in America. I advise you to begin them with the light 
rifle and charge, in order to learn the rudiments of the art before 
you advance to regular mid range shooting. If you please, you can 
lengthen the range, in order to practice them, so as to make the 
mark infinitesimally small, still using the third-class target, but 
you can stay at three hundred yards, if you like. 

The “ back positions ” used at long range are principally American 
in their origin, some invented and almost all perfected by our rifle¬ 
men at Creedmoor. They are as various as the fancies and physical 
peculiarities of the men who use them. In all, the object is the same, 
to acquire a position of perfect rest, to bring the hind sight of the 
rifle near the eye, and to find a rest for the barrel on some part of the 
body where the respiration and pulse will not disturb the front 
sight. They all arose in trying to conquer the single difficulty of 
the military lying down position—want of a rest for the end of the 
rifle. Some lie on the back or right side, with the heel of the butt 
under the arm, the rifle resting over the left knee or thigh. In this 
position the eye is so far from the ordinary peep-sight, that men 
using it usually have another sight at the very end of the butt. 
Some, using the same sight, lie on the back or left side, knees up, 
heels on the ground, and rest the rifle on the toes. All of these 
methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and must be 
chosen by each man to suit his own conformation of body and mind. 
The position on which I have finally settled myself, and in which 
I have made my best scores,, is that known in America as the 
“Fulton position,” from its being first brought into general public 
notice by Mr. Fulton, in the Irish-American match of 1874. As far 
as my experience extends, I look upon this as the best position that 
can be taken by any man, whose physical conformation does not 
prevent it. It is portrayed in the following cut. 













38 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


The advantages of this position are many. The peep sight of the 
rifle is always close to the eye, as much so as in the military posi¬ 
tion. The whole of the body is or should be at rest on the ground, 
both shoulders flat on mother earth. The end of the rifle rests in a 
V, formed by the left ankle and the right knee. By very slight motions 
of the strong muscles of the legs, the front sight can be raised or 
lowered by small fractions of an inch, with perfect steadiness and 
without fatigue, while the position of the left arm behind the neck, 
keeps the head steady for a long, careful aim, and serves to make the 
last delicate corrections. When it is fully mastered, I know of no 
position so well calculated to reduce the tremor of the front sight of 
a rifle to the limit of variation necessary to bring the bullets the 
bulVs-eye at any range. This limit of variation is as follows on the 
regulation targets: 


At 

100 yards, 

eighty 

thousandths of an inch. 

4 4 

200 

44 

forty 

44 

4 4 

4t 

300 

44 

twenty-six 

44 

44 

44 

400 

44 

fifty 

44 

44 

fi 

500 

4 4 

forty 

4 4 

4 4 

44 

600 

44 

thirty-three 

44 

4 4 

i 4 

700 

4 4 

fifty 

44 

4 4 

44 

800 

44 

forty-five 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

900 

4 4 

forty 

44 

44 

4 4 

1,000 

4 4 

thirty-six 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

1,100 

4 4 

thirty-two 

4 4 

44 


The bull’s-eye, up to 300 yards, measures eight inches; from thence 
to 600, inclusive, twenty-two inches; all beyond, thirty-six inches. 
You will notice some curious things in this table. You 
will see, as I told you, that the hardest range of all to shoot at 
is 300 yards, the allowable variation being actually less than in shoot¬ 
ing at 1,100 yards. (In this statement I suppose an absolutely calm 
day. At long range the bullet is more affected by the wind on 
account of the trajectory being higher, so as to be exposed to upper 
currents. The influence of the wincl will be treated in future 
articles.) The principle of making this table is very simple, and you 
can work the odd ranges for yourself. Assuming the distance 
between the sights of your rifle to be one yard, the apparent size of 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


39 


target and bull’s-eye on your front sight, at any range, will be the 


quotient of the breadth of each in inches , divided by the number of 


yards , which brings us always to decimal fractions. The mid range 
i target, to which I shall take you in the next chapter, is six feet square ; 

bull’s-eye, twenty-two inches; centre, thirty-eight inches; inner, 
i fifty-four; outer, seventy inches, ail circles, the corners not counting. 

You will see from the table that this target, at 400 yards, comes next 
' * after the third-class at 100, in the ease with which the bull’s-eye is 
struck, the first-class target at 700 yards being just as easy. This is 

I the reason that matches are very seldom shot at these ranges, just as 

I I the small size of the 300 yard bull’s-eye makes off-hand shooting at 
| that range unpopular for the opposite cause. 





40 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER Y. 


You are now to commence mid range shooting. You have studied 
how to acquire the steadiest position with the rifle of light recoil. 
Now you will have to procure a different kind of piece. The 
distances from four to six hundred yards inclusive are known 
as the “ mid ranges,” and matches within those limits are called 
“ mid range matches.” It is but seldom that they are shot at any 
other distances than five and six hundred yards. The second- 
class targets are sometimes used with match rifles at seven hundred 
yards. For all mid range matches you will need a rifle carrying i 
a much heavier charge than any you have yet tried. Fifty grains of 
powder cannot be depended on to place a ball on the bull’s-eye at 
more than three hundred yards, though on a still day, as I have 
told you, fair practice can be made at five hundred. The reason 
for an increase of charge is found in the action of the wind on the 
bullet. With a small charge the velocity of the bullet begins to 
decrease soon after leaving the muzzle. To send it to five hundred 
yards it must be fired at a high elevation, so as to come down on the 
target, describing a curved line called the “trajectory.” The weaker ^ 
the charge, of course, the higher the trajectory; the heavier the 
charge within certain limits the flatter the trajectory. You will 
frequently see allusions to the “flatness of the trajectory” of such 1 
and such a rifle, and will hereafter understand that it means that \ 
the rifle indicated uses a heavy charge in proportion to the weight * 
of its bullet. You will see that this flatness of trajectory must be an y 
advantage in firing at a mark. Naturally, a bullet that flies nearly T 
straight has a better chance of hitting the mark than one that has V 
to be dropped on it, much as one plays a stream of water from a / 
force pump and hose pipe. Flatness of trajectory is, therefore, the 
special desideratum for a rifle, and the flatness can only be secured at I 
the expense of heavy recoil, on account of the increased charge of I 
powder that is needed to propel the bullet at the necessary velocity. I 
I have been asked what kind of rifle I should recommend to a i 
beginner desirous of advancing from his off-hand shooting to mid 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP, 


41 


range and long range, and whether it would be best to use what is 
' called a “mid range rifle” for mid range shooting. 

I should decidedly advise the learner to procure at once what is 
known as a “ long range match rifle,” whether his taste lead him to 
a muzzle-loader or breech-loader, and to stick to that weapon hence- 
i forth. My reasons for this course are simple: In every mid range 
match you will have to meet competitors armed with the best of 
i, match rifles, and you cannot hope to compete successfully unless you 
are equally well equipped. In matches at mid range, the special 
long range “ match rifle ” has a great advantage over all other rifles 
used. It shoots closer than any other, and is the best procurable. 
The same advantage which what is called the “midrange” rifle 
possesses over the lighter off-hand pieces it has to yield to the 
“match rifle.” For this reason and to avoid expense, I advise the 
|.. use of a match rifle for all shooting other than the strictly off-hand 
short range matches. In England, where they permit lying down at 
all ranges, the match rifle is the weapon for all kinds of work, but 
it is somewhat heavy and awkward for off-hand shooting. 

The match rifle differs from the short range gun in several par¬ 
ticulars, in which all the manufacturers agree. The uniform weight 
of the rifle is ten pounds, so as to gain all the weight possible under 
the rules. The calibre is forty-four or forty-five hundredths of an 
inch. The trigger-pull should be the same as that of the off-hand 
trifle. In other points slight variations prevail. 

In describing this rifle I shall touch on the essential points only, 
leaving the matters of maker and pattern to individual taste. The 
heel of the butt should be flat, not crescent-shaped. The barrel is 
made round, octagon, or part octagon, according to taste, by differ- 
< ent makers. The first essential points are the sights, of both kinds. 
We will begin by examining the rear sight. 

On your off-hand rifle you might be content with a common peep 
sight, sliding up and down, to save expense. With a match rifle it 
is absolutely necessary to have a “Vernier sight,” which elevates 
with a screw, and carries two scales on the side, one of them mov¬ 
able, and known as “ the Vernier.” This scale is named after its 
inventor, a French mathematician, and is used on all kinds of nauti¬ 
cal, astronomical, and surveying instruments, where it is necessary to 
measure very minute distances. Its principle is simple, and can be 
understood by a short illustration. 





42 


Steles and marksmanship. 


Suppose you have a rule, one foot long, divided into twelve 
inches, and sliding on it a second rule, eleven indies long, divided),' 
into twelve equal parts ; the second scale will be a “ Vernier ” for the '(• 
first. Each “ Vernier inch,” you will perceive, is just one-twelfth of ), 
an inch less than a real inch. To find how many twelfths over an 
inch such and such a thing measures, you can slide up the Vernier/ 
to the mark. Then see how many inches back the Vernier and the ^ 
scale coincide. That is the number of twelfths measured. Thus 
you see a very coarse scale will measure twelfths of an inch. A J 


scale and Vernier marked in tenths of an inch will measure hun- " 


dredths with perfect plainness, the great advantage of the Vernier ' 
being that it is easily read as well as accurate. Different rifle makers ^ 
use different scales for sight and Vernier, some going by decimals’ 
of an inch, some by the tangents of degrees of altitude. They will$ 
furnish you with tables of the approximate elevations along witlj/^ 
your rifle, and you can find out how to correct these by practice. 
The next point I shall mention is the disc of the peep sight. Do not 4 
get one with the hole too small. Beginners are apt to do this, under 
the impression that they thereby get a finer sight, and this is partly ^ 
true. The very small hole in a peep sight is, nevertheless, a disad¬ 
vantage, except on a very bright, glaring day, as it excludes too 
much light for ordinary weather. If it is so small as to prove incon¬ 
venient in this manner, it must be reamed out to the proper diameter, 
which must be found by experience. A second disc, with a stil 7 ^ 
larger hole, may be carried, if desired, to use in foggy or dark 
weather. $ 

The exact elevations necessary at different ranges can only beU 
ascertained by experiment. The makers’ table for your rifle will givej 
them within three or four hundredths of an inch, and you must thenv! 
use an artificial rest, and find out the place on the Vernier which. 
will put your shots on the bull’s-eye at each range. In feeling for* 
your elevation always begin low , so that, if you miss, the bullet will! 
knock up the dust. Then you see where your shots are going, andH 
can rise to the bull’s-eye in the smallest number of trials. If youjv 
don’t see your bullet, suspect you are too high and work down! 
When you have found the exact elevation, write it in your scorei&! 
book, with the proper figures, and Tceep it for reference. 

If at the first shot you do not hit the target, and do not see froncmj 
the dust or dirt thrown up where the bullet has gone, you cannot j] 



MElES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


48 


feel for your elevations better than by trying the second shot two 
1 hundredths of an inch lower than the first. If still unobserved, try 
the third shot two-hundredths higher than the first; then the fourth 
four lower than the first, and the fifth higher than the first. Con¬ 
tinue with similar alterations of elevation until the target is 
reached. 

So much for the hind sight of the match rifle. The fore-sight is 
something like that to which you have already been accustomed. 
The Beach sight, convertible into an open sight, is, however, not used 
for long-range shooting, a tube of the same diameter as the ring 
being preferred. The tube saves the front sight from the glare of 
the sun, and from all danger of injury. It is usual to have several 
kinds of foresights, which consist of discs slipped into a slot and 
held in place by a screw. I would advise you to use only one kind, 
^ and to practice with nothing else, as changing of sights is as much 
to be avoided as changing of rifles. Some marksmen prefer the old 
bead or pinhead, the same which you have used in your Beach sight. 
Colonel Bodine uses the “ open bead,” so-called, a pin with a ring 
at the end, which is held so as to embrace the bull’s-eye. For 
myself, I have used for two years, and still use, the “ calliper 
sight.” When the old square bull’s-eye was in fashion, I used the 
“ plain callipers.” Since the change to the round bull’s-eye, I use 
what are called the “ earwig callipers.” You will see them in this 
fcut, in which they are represented as used on the long-range target, 

I but a little above real size. 



1 

* 


j 













44 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


The reason I prefer the earwig calliper sight is that it is so exceed¬ 
ingly sensitive to the slightest tremor . With the bead or pinhead,\ 
one may appear to have a very steady aim on the bull’s-eye, when, 
with the callipers, a considerable tremor may be noticed, the same 
steadiness being preserved. When the bull’s-eye is distinctly visible j 
between the horns of the earwigs, the white showing on each side, a. 


very true aim can be taken. Another advantage of the callipers is , 


that they do not exclude the light to such an extent as most other 


sights, while they are exceedingly distinct on the white target. The 
old callipers used with the square bull’s-eye were plain and flat at 


! 


i 


the ends, the “earwigs” being added to suit the round bull’s-eye 
since its adoption. 

With the callipers you can always be sure of your direction, 
being perpendicular to the centre of the target. The only difficulty, 
experienced with them by a beginner is one of elevation. He is apv^ 
at first to shoot too low. This arises from the fact that he keeps the 
bull’s-eye a little above the point of the callipers, being so much ‘ 
intent on preserving the centre line that he forgets that all four cal¬ 
liper points must be equidistant from the bull’s-eye. This fault 
requires care to correct, and the earwigs have helped the matter a 
great deal. With them, as true a. centre can be taken as with the 
open bead. With the callipers, you must use two or three different 
sizes for different ranges. The object of this is to preserve exactly 
the same appearance of sight at every range and at all times. Th 
bull’s-eye differs in apparent size at the different ranges, but your sigh 
should always look the same to you ; should show the same amoun 
of white round the bull’s-eye, and have it in the same spot at all 
times. I should advise you to have three sizes of callipers, which 
shall call Nos. 1, 2, and 3, as follows: ^ 

No. 1, for 500 and 800 yards, measuring one-tenth of an inctif 
across the middle of the opening, the earwigs projecting two one 
hundredths on each side. Diameter of calliper bars, six one-hun¬ 
dredths. 

No. 2, for 900 and 1,000 yards,; width of opening, eight one 
hundredths; earwigs, two one-hundredths ; bar diameter, four one -7 
hundredths. 

No. 3, for dark days ; opening, twelve or fourteen one-hundredths*^' 
the other dimensions as in No. 2. 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


45 


^ The diameter of the peep sight hole should be six or seven one- 
' hundredths, that of the “dark day peep sight” eight or ten one- 
hundredths. 

To keep these sights in order, and to alter them to suit your own 
* eye-sight, you will need a kit of tools for your ammunition box. I 
now use a simple leathern box, with two deep sides, in which I keep, 
on one side, my cartridges in their pasteboard boxes, with my clean¬ 
sing .tools; on the other, my sight case and tools for repairs and 
alterations. 

The tools I have found useful are as follows: 

v 1. Skewer of wood, with fine point to clear peep sight of dust 
or dirt. Keep this in sight case, for convenience and cleanliness. 

2. Elastics, to bind on paper shade of fore-sight on sunny days. 

3. Screw driver and small table-vise, to hold sights, locks, and 
things requiring filing. 

4. Files, very small and fine, two rat-tailed, cme with a flat face. 
The rat-tailed files are for making the earwigs of the callipers the 
proper size. They should always be used from the front end of the 
sight , so as to have the edge next to the eye sharp and erect. To 
file from the rear leaves a slope, and produces blur in aiming. 

5. Tennessee whetstones, one like the file, long and thin; the 
second short and broad, with a triangular section. The first size is 
hsed to finish the sight, the second is used on the point of the sear 
to deepen it, when the pull-off, from wear, has sunk to three pounds 
and under. Both are used with oil, and they take the steel off very 
quickly. 

6 . Two sizes reamers for the peep sight. Use these also with 
I plenty of oil, when necessary. 

* With this kit of tools you are not dependent on the rifle-maker 
for minutiai of hand finish to sights, but can alter them to suit your 
i individual eye-sight. Let your files, reamers, and whetstones all go 
into a single handle, and all be of the very best material in the 
market. 

The three sizes I have mentioned ought to be sufficient, if the 
calliper sight is used. For the open bead, also an excellent sight, 

I the same number will be needed. The breadth of the calliper bars 
I is restricted by the rules of the National Rifle Association to less than 




46 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 







































RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


47 


eight one-hundredths of an inch, and that of the open bead to less 
than three one-hundredths of an inch, in order to avoid hiding the 
, target. The reason for this and other restrictions on patternshf front 
sights, is to prevent danger to the markers. Unless'the whole of 
* the target can be seen through the sights, it is quite'possible that the 
marker might put up his danger flag above the; bull’s-eye, and the 
marksman might fail to see it. I should advise you, at this juncture 
^t all events, if not earlier, to join the National Rifle Association, 
or some affiliated society, and keep yourself constantly conversant 
k with their rules and changes of rules as they occur. It is;out of the 
province of these chapters to do more than direct your attention to 
^ them, and hereafter I shall suppose you to be familiar with them, 
and practicing on a fully equipped range, worked under the same. 
Two appurtenances of the front sight remain to ;be noticed,* which 
^re the “ wind gauge” and “spirit level.” 

I have not hitherto spoken much about wind, for in off-hand 
1 shooting the distance is too short for wind to affect! the bullet to any 
greater extent than you can readily correct from your own experience. 
At long range the case is different. The wind will cause you many 
a miss, if you do not study it, and you have to make so much allow¬ 
ance for deflection that, without a wind gauge, you would frequently 
aim off the target altogether. The wind gauge is a scale at right 
angles to the muzzle of the gun, on which the whole sight moves to 
fight or left by a screw. By means of this contrivance you are 
[ enabled to take the same sight on the bulVs-eye every time , although 
[ the bore of the gun may be pointing in a totally different direction. 
The deviation is regulated by number of “points,” right or left, and 
should always be carefully noted in the score-book, along with the 
position and value of the shot, force, and direction of the wind, and 
the elevation. 

^ The spirit level lies on the barrel of the gun, at the rear of the 
front sight, and is important in fine shooting, as the least twisting 
of the sights decreases the elevation as well as alters the direction. 

Having disposed of the sights, we next come to the cartridge 
chamber and cartridge. The regular charge of the long range match 
rifle is 90 to 105 grains of powder and 520 to 550 grains of bullet. 
The bullet is hardened with tin or solder, is much longer than the 
short range bullet, and takes a shallow rifling. The cartridge cliam- 
| ber is made to fit the shell used. The same shell is loaded with 95 ? 




48 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


100, 105, 110, 115, and even 120 grains of powder in some cases. I 
have never found special gain to attend charges beyond 105 grains, 
and the principal advantage with even so much is found in a high 
wind, as it enables you to get on with less allowance for deflection, 
the trajectory being flatter. The gain in velocity is, to my mind, 
hardly adequate to the increase of recoil, and the fouling of the gun 
consequent on such charges. 

For practice at 500 yards I should advise you to begin with much 
lighter charges than any of these. I should order, were I you, fifty 
or a hundred cartridges loaded with only seventy grains of powder, 
which is ample for purposes of accuracy at mid range, and yet will 
not subject you to a heavy recoil, on account of the weight of the 
gun. With these begin practice in the back position, and study 
recoil. Remember that heretofore you have held the rifle to your 
shoulder with the left hand, and that, in the “ Fulton position,” that 
hand is useless for stopping the recoil. Something has to take the 
recoil, and if the left hand cannot take it, the right must. The first 
time a beginner tries the Fulton position without teaching, he is very 
apt to come to grief. 

The method of stopping recoil in the Fulton position is peculiar. 
The head must be turned away to the left, and the left hand presses 
the side of the butt to the side of the neck, just behind the ear. 
The back must be flat, both shoulders on the ground. The use of 
the left arm is to keep the head steady. The right elbow must rest v, 
firmly on the ground, and the right hand grasps the neck of the stock, 
the thumb well over to the left of the rifle, so as to give a firm grasp 
and send the recoil into the cushion of muscles at the base of the 
thumb and palm of the hand, thence into the bent arm, which is able 
to take it. To use heavy charges at first would endanger a bad sprain 
of the thumb or wrist, but by care and the gradual increase of 
charges to 80, 90, and 100 grains of powder, you will be able to mas- ' 
ter the recoil, and with it the secret of the Fulton position. The 
constant practice of this position will have a great effect on devel¬ 
oping the strength of the right arm, and will leave you a much < 
stronger man than when you began. 

I have now described to you the best weapon used in rifle shoot¬ 
ing not off-hand, and have tried to tell you how to handle it. You 
will be prepared to commence practice, and study the principal points'^ 
of light and wind, about which these chapters can only be expected 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


49 


to give you general principles, which you must apply to your own 
experience. I shall here advise you to keep your score-book at all 
times written up as fully as possible, in the way of which I shall 
speak in the next article. This score-book must be a faithful record 
of every shot you fire at practice or in a match, and you should be 
particularly careful to record every miss , with the charge used, the 
elevation, wind gauge, light, position, and the direction of miss, if 
k it can be ascertained. You have then a record that can be studied, 
and from which you can find the cause of a miss, and correct the 
mistake that brought it about. 


50 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER VI. 


< 


We will go to the range to-day and begin practice at five hundred 
yards. I shall suppose that this lesson is at Creedmoor, or some^ 
other regularly-equipped range. You will need your match rifle and 
ammunition, your rug for the firing point, your score-book, and a j. 
good glass. The glass may be dispensed with by carefully observing 
the position of the disc used by tha marker in painting over the i 
mark made by the bullet on the iron target. When board or canvas 
targets are used, and ttie marker employs the small spotting disc, 
heretofore described in the first chapter, the glass is not necessary,/ 
provided the spotting discs are sufficiently large to be seen with the ? 
naked eye. It is of great importance to know the precise location { 
of each shot. If the weather is rainy you will also need your india 
rubber suit and blanket, for a rifleman must be prepared to shoot in 
all weathers, once his mind is made up to the practice. 

To-day we have an average Creedmoor day, fine and hot, with a 
light V. o’clock breeze, shifting to VII. and VIII., commonly called 
a “fishtail wind,” drifting cumulus clouds that occasionally cross 
the sun; thermometer at 85 degrees in the shade. The targets li^4 
due north, but the direction of the wind, on a range, is seldom 
referred to by riflemen with reference to the points of the compass. 
The thing about which a rifleman is anxious is the direction of the ^ 
wind with reference to the target , and this has given rise to the 
“ watch-face system ” of nomenclature for wind on a range. Hold- f 
ing a watch before you so that the twelve o’clock figures point to the 
target, a III. o’clock wind is due from the right, a IX. o’clock wincr ' 
from the left, a VI. o’clock up the range, and so on. To-day we 
shall examine the questions of elevations and wind gauge. As youlj 
are supposed to have ascertained the first at practice from a fixed A 
rest on a still day, we shall have our principal trouble with the 1 
second. You are now shooting at the second-class target, of the reg- 4 
ular dimensions: Bull’s-eye 22 -inch; centre, 38-inch; inner, 54-inch; 
outer, 70-inch. These are all circular, but the target-frame is square . 4 
If you hit outside the 70-inch circle it will be a miss, corners noi 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


51 


counting. Before you begin remember that your margin of error at 
this distance is—for the bull’s-eye, l-25th of an inch; centre, 1-13th 
of an inch; inner, 1-1 Oth of an inch; outer, l-7th of an inch. The 
difference between a bull’s-eye and a miss at five hundred yards, is 
only 1-1 Oth of an inch, and, if you tremble l-7th of an inch off the 
centre of the target you miss it entirely. Keep these facts in your 
mind, and do not be surprised if you miss occasionally. To-day is 
rather a puzzling day, when you will have to watch the flags and 
light carefully, shifting your wind gauge to suit circumstances. 

A few words on elevation may not be amiss here. In cold weather, 
or in shooting from a cold barrel, some of the force of the powder 
is spent in heating the barrel, and less is left to propel the bullet, 
which, consequently, requires a higher trajectory to reach its mark. 
With a hot barrel, or in hot weather, the elevation would be lower. 
On the other hand, in dry, hot weather, the powder cakes in the 
barrel and causes more friction than in cool, moist weather. The 
lowest possible elevation is secured on a hot, misty, muggy day in 
summer, with a rear wind. The highest possible elevation is needed 
for a cold, dry day, with a strong head wind. Strong lateral winds 
from either side require higher elevations than calm, because they 
compel the bullet to travel a longer way to the mark. To secure 
uniform elevations as near as possible, it is well to fire two or three 
shots into the ground before practicing, so as to make the heat of 
the barrel uniform for every shot. As a general rule use the gun- 
maker’s elevations at first, and experiment afterwards, carefully 
recording particulars of wind, light, powder, and other condition 3 . 
It hardly needs to be said that the larger the charge of powder, the 
lower will be the elevation, and vice versa. 

I will also give you a few general rules for guidance as to wind 
gauge adjustment. 

After the first shot is fired, and its location on the target deter¬ 
mined, four things must control you in the delivery of each subse¬ 
quent shot. These are: First, the spot on the target on which the 
aim was fixed at the time of the discharge of the rifle in the shot 
immediately previous; second, the spot the bullet struck; third, 
the conditions of the weather at the moment of discharge (the force 
and direction of the wind being the principal consideration) ; and, 
fourth, the condition of the weather at the instant of discharging 
the shot about to be made. If the result is satisfactory, that is, if 


52 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


the bullet has landed well into the bull’s-eye, near the centre, then 
you have only to repeat your effort, provided the weather conditions ' 
remain unchanged. 

To operate the wind gauge satisfactorily, you must know the 
“zero point” at any given distance. The zero point on the wind 
gauge is the point at which, in a dead calm, you should place the 
front sight to make the bullet hit the centre of the bull’s-eye. This 

point can only be ascertained by experiment. No two rifles shoot 

exactly alike, and all have more or less “ drift.” Drift is the ten- v 
dency of the bullet to deviate in the direction of the twist of the 
rifling. Almost all rifles have a twist to the right. Those which 
have the twist to the left would have a drift in that direction. For 
this reason, if you place the front sight directly over the axis of the 
bore, you will not strike the centre of the bull’s-eye in a dead calm, 

but will shoot to the right. The amount of this deviation must , 

determine the practical zero point of your wind gauge. It is found by 
firing a number of shots from a rest in a dead calm, and the number 
of points must be noted for 500 and 800 yards. These two ranges 
are generally sufficient for the purpose of experiment to secure the 
allowances at the three mid ranges and the three long ranges. 

You will find in your score-book a table of the approximate allow¬ 
ance for such a wind as that of to-day, given in points of the wind 
gauge, or feet measured on the target, the wind being supposed due 
right or left. If you have no such table, and have to feel for your 
allowance, put your wind gauge down to zero, aim from a fixed rest 
at the bull’s-eye, and mark the distance of the shot from the centre. 
That will be your allowance. To-day it will be between one and 
two points for right wind to begin with, and your elevation will be 
the same as that noted on your score-book. 

Before you begin to fire, enter the wind, light, and atmosphere on 
your score-book. This you will find to be ruled in the following 
form for the purpose : 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


53 


The Latest Form of Score-Book. 


No. of Shot 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

Score . 



— 













Elevation ... 















Wind Gauge 















Wind Di- j 

rection.. j 
















Wind Force. 












. 



— 

Weather.... 















Light. 
















Thermom’r. 









• 







Barometer.. 
















Position .... 
















Bullet. 
















Powder,.... 
















Sight. 

_ 
















Rifle. 









J 






Time... 









| | 






On tlie opposite leaf of the score-book you will see cuts of tar¬ 
gets, of which you will choose the one which suits the range you 
are firing at, and as you proceed in your practice will locate your 
shots by their numbers on this dummy target. Thus you can see 
at a glance what you are doing. 

, You can commence your record, filling in the columns of wind, 
time, and light, something like this : 

“ Wind, Y. o’clock; force, moderate; time, 10 a. m. ; light, bright 
and glaring; atmosphere, dry and hot, 85 deg. in the shade.” 

Put down your trial elevation and wind gauge, and fill in the title. 
Distance 500 yards, rifle, powder and bullet, as well as the date, 
according to circumstances. 

Now we can begin by taking down the danger flag as a signal to 


















































































































































54 


HIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


the marker to take down his flag and get in readiness for his duties. 
Take the position that you find suits you best, get the points of the 
callipers round the bull’s-eye, so as to leave the white showing all 
round it, and pull. Be certain that you continue the aim and see the 
exact position of your sights at the instant of discharge. 

Bang ! 

You can hear the bullet singing away through the air for a much 
longer time than you could at the short ranges, but at last comes the 
welcome clap that tells it has struck on the iron face of the target; 
out comes the trap signal and up climbs the disc. 

Outer—counts two. Score it as first shot. 

You need not wonder if the disc is black, for you may be thankful 
it was not a miss. You have found the target at all events, and 
have made a high outer, directly over the bull’s-eye. If you are 
certain about your holding—and there need be no doubt on that 
point in the back position—you can reduce your elevation. Your 
shot struck at the very edge, about 34 inches from the centre of the 
target, so you need to come down that distance, making about three 
hundredths of an inch less than you had before. Mathematically 
you should come down 1-100th of an inch on the Vernier for every 
five inches on the five hundred yard target. Practically it is differ¬ 
ent. Rifles, if held in a vise, will not deliver several consecutive 
bullets into the same hole at this distance by several inches, nor is it 
possible to hold a rifle exactly the same each time. Practically, for ' 
the purpose of reducing your elevation on the target 34 inches, you 
should come down about three points, or about one-half what would 
be mathematically correct. Just here it may be well to remind you 
that the scale on the foresight by which the wind allowance is regu¬ 
lated, is generally in fiftieths of an inch. If your bullet strikes at 
the proper elevation, but at the extreme edge of the target to the 
right or left, you will only need to allow on the wind gauge a s 
point and a half in order to cover the 34 inches for which on the 
elevation you were obliged to allow three points. Wipe out the J 
rifle and try again. 

Second Shot .—That change turned out well, for there comes the 
white disc. I spotted the shot with the glass, and it was near the 
left lower corner of the bull’s-eye. You feel that the wind has ^ 
freshened a little, so that we may as well give the wind gauge about 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


55 


a quarter of a point more, to allow for it. We will score and spot that 
shot, for we intend now to keep on the bull’s-eye for the whole of 
our practice, if we can. This is by no means a matter of impossi¬ 
bility at five hundred yards with a modern match rifle, it having 
been done again and again by riflemen of no very long experience, 
after a few weeks’ practice, and having occurred at several matches. 
Our next shot, if we calculated right, ought to put us on the bull’s- 
eye, near the centre, and once there, we have a safe margin all round 
us. If we rest satisfied with a mere grazing of the bull’s-eye, when 
lying down, we shall never make straight shooting. We have no 
tremor to guard against, such as we had in off-hand shooting, and 
when we have found a certain place on the target, ought to be able 
to hold there. 

Third Shot. —Bull’s-eye again, and close to the centre. We cal¬ 
culated well that time. Score it down and try again. 

Fourth Shot .—Up comes the black cross, and touches the right 
side of the target, on a line with the bull’s-eye. What was the 
matter ? you ask. You felt certain that you held on correctly. What 
could have been the reason that, with the rifle in exactly the same 
condition as when you made a bull’s-eye, you should now make a 
poor inner? “ It is very annoying. Something must be the matter 
with the rifle or the powder. Perhaps it is not clean. How provok¬ 
ing, just as I was making a string of bull’s-eyes.” 

I should here advise you to keep cool! Never mind that string 
of bull’s-eyes. It takes more than two to make a string. You 
are exciting yourself, and getting warm on a hot day, always an 
unnecessary proceeding. If you depend too much on a “string,” 
you will probably never make it. Keep cool. 

> “ Well, it is warm, is it not ? There doesn’t seem to be a breath 

of air stirring at the moment.” 

And yet you haven’t changed your wind gauge, but have been 
shooting with about two feet wind allowance in a calm lull. That 
will be a lesson to you to watch the flag for the wind on one of these 
special Creedmoor days, when the wind shifts all over the target, 
and sometimes lulls, at other times blows in gusts. Wipe out your 
piece, and own up it was your own fault, not that of the rifle. You 
showed lack of judgment. 


56 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


Just here will be a good place for a few words about judgment of 
wind, and how it is acquired. You cannot watch the wind too care¬ 
fully. Unless you can observe and correctly estimate its changes, 
and thus master its pranks, some of your competitors will be very 
likely to master you. It often happens, and is always the case at 
Creedmoor, that several flags are in sight to indicate the direction 
and force of the wind. 

It is best to select some one flag, most favorably located for obser¬ 
vation, and most likely, from its position on the field, to show the 
current of air through which the bullet has to fly. Be governed 
by that flag in adjusting your wind gauge. It is not uncommon 
to see three flags on the range, each indicating a different direction. 
When the wind is not too strong at the instant of the discharge of 
the rifle, it is well to endeavor to align the end of the flag with 
some object in the distance with which it coincides, such as the 
top of a fence or a tree, and, remembering this, observe, when 
ready to discharge the next shot if there has been any change in the 
position of the end of the flag. If it has dropped much below 
the object on which it was aligned you will need less allowance for 
wind. If the wind has strengthened, the flag will lift, and you 
must make a corresponding allowance. When the wind is very 
strong, and the flag is horizontal and flapping briskly, any addi¬ 
tional force can be ascertained by carefully observing the bending 
of the top of the pole which holds the flag. It is impossible to lay 
down any positive rules by which a marksman is to observe the 
wind and adjust his wind gauge. The foregoing observations are 
simply offered as suggestions. One can only become a good judge 
of wind by careful observation and constant practice. 

Our lecture is over, and while this lull lasts, I should say, put 
the wind gauge to zero. Now, ready again. 

Fifth Shot. —Bull’s-eye. You see your elevation was all right, 
and the wind allowance was what made you miss last time. 

Now look out for the flags. See, they are beginning to flutter 
out, and here comes the wind in puffs from VII. o’clock instead of 
V. This is a regular Creedmoor day, and puzzles foreign riflemen 
at our matches. It will blow up quite fresh in a few minutes, only 
to drop away again and shift round to the other tack. You need 
two and a half points now. 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


57 


In a day like this, with a ‘ ‘ fish-tail wind ” continually changing, 
you must make your alterations of wind gauge and elevation with 
discretion, and not be too hasty to follow every fresh puff with a 
change of adjustment. It is better to leave the sights alone, get into 
position, and wait before firing (if it can be done without too much 
delay) until it is apparent from the flags that the wind, both as to 
direction and force, is where it was when your last shot was fired. 

Sixth Shot. —Centre, low, left. You made a little too much allow¬ 
ance for the wind in elevation and deviation. Reduce both with 
judgment, so as to make your next shot land in the middle of the 
bull’s-eye. Hitherto you have been satisfied with an average of cen¬ 
tres, but in long range shooting the very midst of the bull’s-eye is 
the place to aim at, and sometimes we have a white spot called a 
“carton” in the middle of the bull’s-eye in special matches, the 
“carton” counting six points. These carton targets are used in 
England to shoot off ties in mid range matches. 

Seventh Shot. —Bull’s-eye, and a good one. Watch the flags while 
you wipe and reload, and make the proper allowance. See, the 
wind is falling again, so that the elevation increases, and the wind 
gauge needs a turn of the screw toward the zero point. 

Eighth Shot .—I heard no noise of that bullet. You made a miss. 

Impossible,” you say. Oh, no. I have known the best of men 
to make misses, not only one but several, one after the other. The 
only trouble about a miss is to find out whose fault it was. Let us 
look at your record in the score-book. Wind a little lighter, light 
the same, elevation increased about a hundredth, wind gauge a quarter 
of a point less. That looks all right. How did you hold the calli¬ 
pers on the bull’s-eye? All right. Well, perhaps you think so, 
but I hardly believe it. I have known many men who could pick up 
all the points about elevation and windage, but never could be sure 
of holding on and pulling at the right time. I am inclined to think 
that you were getting tired at the moment when you fired, that your 
eyes ached from long straining, and that the bull’s-eye was almost 
invisible to you. Consequently you trusted to luck to average some¬ 
where near the right spot, and went over the top of the target. 

I see that you recognize the justice of the description, and that it 



58 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


hits yon. Next time you feel like that, stop aiming, merely keeping 
the callipers on the target, and rest your eyes till you can see the 
bull’s-eye again. If that will not do, lay down the rifle and shut 
your eyes. Do anything to rest them, and never be persuaded into 
firing till you can see the bull's-eye and both callipers , with a white 
streaJc round the blade spot. 

Now you can get ready again. While we have been talking the 
wind has freshened, and is coming in as a brisk VIII. o’clock breeze, 
requiring a full point and a half more wind gauge. 

Ninth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, to the left, high. Wind still freshening. 
Leave the wind gauge as it is, and you ought to find the middle the 
next time. 

Tenth Shot .—I told you so. Very good bull’s-eye, and the first 
string is finished. Let us see how the record looks in the score-book. 

“Date, June 9, 1877—Distance 500 yards, long-range match rifle, 
90 grains powder, 550 lead. Hot dry day ; time from 10 to 11 a. m. 
Wind shifting from V. to VIII. o’clock, from brisk to calm. Light 
uniform. Average elevation. Wind gauge from zero to 2£ points. 
Score—2 555854505 5—total, 89 out of possible 50. 

That will do for your first lesson at 500 yards, and if you like we * 
will move back to 800 yards for the rest of the day. I do this 
because the same callipers will answer for both bull’s-eyes. They 
differ in real size; but in apparent size are nearly the same. The 
22 -inch bull’s-eye of the second-class target has an apparent diameter 
at 500 yards, of 44-l,000ths of an inch; the 36-inch bull’s-eye of 
the first-class target has an apparent diameter at 800 yards of 
45-l,000ths of an inch. The difference of a thousandth is so small as - 
to be hardly appreciable by the eye. 

Here we are at the 800 yard point, and the wind has freshened, | 
coming steadily from VIII. o’clock. The clouds are less, and the 
heat seems more intense, except for the wind. In some respects you 
will have an easier time than at 500 yards, but in others it will be 
more difficult shooting. Your margin of error to miss the target j 
perpendicularly is reduced in the proportion of eight to five. The tar- ^ 
get remains six feet high, but its apparent heighth has decreased from 


BIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


59 


144-1,OOOths of an inch to 90-l,000ths of an inch. The breadth, 
however, has doubled, so that you have an increased margin for 
wind. The fact that your shot has a much higher trajectory is a 
point against you, as the bullet has to come down on the target from 
a height of about thirty feet. 

The first-class target at which you will fire in future, is six feet 
high and twelve feet broad. The bull’s-eye is circular, thirty-six 
inches in diameter, centre circular, fifty-four inches across; inner, 
six feet square; outer, at each end of the target, three feet by six 
feet. The apparent size of bull’s-eye at 800 yards is .045 of an inch; 
centre, .067; inner, .09 each way; outers, .09 high, .18 across. 
That will be your margin of error for each count. 

If your elevation be correct, you will perceive that it is compara¬ 
tively easy to make an outer, but still easier to make a miss. 

Now we will spread the rug, and I will take the score-book, glass, 
and camp-stool for you. You are firing ninety grains of powder, 
and using your standard elevation, with — points wind gauge for 
left wind, brisk. 

You will bear in mind that your zero of wind gauge at this range 
will not be the same as at 500 hundred yards, on account of the 
additional distance. If you have not before ascertained the zero by 
shooting from a rest in a calm day, you cannot do better, for the 
purposes of this practice, than to add a little more than half a point 
to the 500 yard zero, and call it the zero at this distance. 

First Shot. —There goes the bullet, singing on its way, and a dull 
thump is audible, very different from the distinct clap of a bullet on 
a target. That was a miss. Never mind. It was to be expected, 
so you need not be demoralized. Your bullet went over the target, 
or we must have seen the dust. If you held right, your elevation 
must be too high. You are sure you held right ? Yery good. Then 
we’ll come down just half the height of the target, that is, three feet 
at 800 yards, apparent size forty-five thousandths of an inch, allow¬ 
ance two points on the Vernier. You know you may have just 
grazed the top of the target, for a miss is as good as a mile. If you 
did, three feet ought to bring you somewhere near the bull’s-eye, if 
not on it. 

'Second Shot .—That struck the target. There comes the disc, 


60 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


outer, about the level of the top of the centre, well to the left. 
Counts two. 

Reduce your elevation about two feet more, that is, one and a half 
hundredths of an inch, and turn in the wind gauge one and a half 
points. Once you are on the target, with a steady wind, the correc¬ 
tions are comparatively easy. 

Third Shot. —Centre, left, nearly grazing the bull’s-eye, but exactly 
right in elevation. You still have too much wind gauge for this wind. 
Turn in another half point. 

Fourth Shot —Bull’s-eye a little to the right. Put back the wind 
gauge a quarter of a point. 

Fifth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, and a good one. Now we will try to 
keep her there. I think we have found the right place on the target. 

Sixth Shot. —Bull’s-eye again. I think that, with good care, we 
may end in making that string of bull’s-eyes that you failed in at 
mid range. 

Seventh Shot. —Bull’s-eye, low. It counts five, but—well, go on. 

Eighth Shot. —A miss. Struck dirt. I thought you would, last 
shot, but I wanted to let you have a lesson. You did not see the 
bull’s-eye between the points of the callipers. You tried that experi¬ 
ment of averaging again. Last shot, you did not see the white all 
round the bull’s-eye. The upper callipers’ points touched the black. 
Consequently you went low, and you had only eighteen inches to 
spare for a miss, the distance between the edge of bull’s-eye and the 
ground. If I had not been here, you would have gone on missing 
after that shot. As it is, try again. 

Ninth Shot. —Inner, high. You made the opposite mistake that 
time, and touched the bull’s-eye with the lower horns of the earwigs. 
That made a difference of two hundredths, nearly half the breadth 
of the callipers. At eight hundred yards, that is thirty-two inches, 
or within four of the top of the target. Try again. 

Tenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye. You did that well, and are to be con¬ 
gratulated. Now let us see your score-book. The count stands : 
024555503 5—total 34 out of 50. Now you can clean the 
rifle, and we’ll take the train home. 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


61 


CHAPTER VII. 


In the last chapter we paid a visit to Creedmoor, on a sultry day, 
with a variable wind, and fired ten shots at mid range, followed by 
ten more at the first of the recognized long ranges. I chose the 
realistic method of treatment in writing of the difficulties expe¬ 
rienced, so as to make the scene appear genuine, and to give you a 
truthful idea of the nature of the practice. In the next lesson we 
will go a little further, and try the range on a cold, blustering, 
squally, wet day in early spring. 

I must premise that shooting on a wet day, with a steady wind, is 
by no means so difficult as might at first sight appear to be the case. 
Apart from the bodily discomfort, the practice is easier than on a 
hot day, and when the wind is steady, no matter how brisk (except 
in violent storms), the amount of deflection can be controlled by the 
wind gauge in a perfectly satisfactory manner. 

We will imagine that we have just left the cars at Creedmoor 
Station on a raw morning. Nominally, it is a spring day, but not a 
leaf is to be seen on the trees, and the skies are a dull gray, with flocks 
of darker clouds, blurred and woolly in outline, driven across the 
dingy background by a cold northeaster. The only variations in the 
weather are in degrees of rain. Sometimes it drizzles, sometimes it 
pours. The targets stand against the green bank like white ghosts, 
looking lonely and miserable, and the few riflemen on the range are 
inclined to be sulky with each other, owing to the gloomy weather. 
They have all come down to work hard, or they would not be here, 
for the long range enthusiast lets no weather deter him, and will 
shoot in a snow storm if it be necessary. 

You will, of course, to-day be dressed very warmly, with the 
thickest flannels, and everything in proportion, to keep your body in 
a state of comfort. If you are shivering, it will be impossible for 
you to shoot with any certainty. You will need, outside of all, a 
long india-rubber coat and leggings, with cap and cape, to keep you 
dry, while arctic overshoes will preserve the feet from wet and cold. 
Jt will not do to take spirits to keep away the chill. That will react 


62 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


on your shooting in a very short time. Hot coffee or tea is much 
better, or hot soup, if you are inclined to bg hungry. Your great 
effort on a day of this sort should be to avoid shivering. If you 
can, you will find the shooting good. 

To-day we will try long range only, beginning at 800 yards, and 
trying, if we can, to get to 900, with a respectable score. Besides 
the usual rug or cocoa mat (the last preferable) you will need a 
rubber blanket, to keep your rug dry before you lie down on it. ^ 
Your rifle will shoot low, so you will need more elevation than usual. 
The difference of elevation between such a day as this and the hot 
July weather will baas much as one-tenth of an inch, which makes 
ten divisions of your Vernier. 

The flags have been taken down, and it is time to begin. I pro¬ 
pose that we shall take fifteen shots at 800 yards, the same as in a 
regular long range match, with two sighting shots to start with, and 
if we make more than 60 per cent, we can go back to 900 yards, 
with a clear conscience. 

You have your last elevation at 800 yards recorded, and, consider¬ 
ing the difference of weather, we will try ten points more elevation, 
and see how that works. You will probably have to feel for your 
elevation to-day, as you have never shot on such a day before, and 
there is no one present to give you any information. We will follow 
up the method recommended to you in the fifth chapter, to find the 
target as regards elevation. The wind gauge is simpler. Last time x 
our wind was gentle, veering from VII. to V. o’clock. To-day it is 
steady at III. o’clock, and blowing at fifteen miles an hour, or 
“ brisk.” We will enter on our record the particulars before begin¬ 
ning. £ ‘ Place, Creedmoor; date, — April; range, 800 yards; wind, 
III. o’clock, brisk; weather, squally and raining; temperature, , 
cold; time, 10£ a. m. ; light, changeable, on account of clouds; - 
position, Fulton; rifle, match, .44 cal. ; powder, 98 grains; bullet, $» 
540 grains ; sight, earwig callipers ; elevation, ten points above last 
time; wind gauge, six points right. ” j 

First Sighting Shot. —Take your aim very carefully. It has stopped 
raining, and the target shows pretty clear through the peep sight. 
Pull the trigger. 

A clear report, and away goes the bullet. No crack is heard on - 
the target, and no disk is to be seen. A miss. 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


63 


Perhaps we took too much elevation. Take the sight down two 
' points and try again. 

Second Sighting Shot. —Another miss. 

It’s pretty clear we are low enough, perhaps too low. On a day 
like this one cannot see the dust of the ball the same as on a dry 
day. Try four points higher, that is, two higher than when we began. 

First Scoring Shot. —Another miss. We have not hit it yet, have 
we? Well, we will try still lower, and take the sight down six 
points. 

Second Shot. —Another miss. This is getting monotonous, you say. 
Something must be the matter with the gun. It must be out of order! 
Not so. The only trouble is, you have not got your elevation cor¬ 
rect yet. Go up eight points now. That’s four above the starting 
point. Take your best aim on the bull’s-eye, and pull steadily. 

Third Shot. —Bang! Listen to the bullet singing on its way. 
Slap ! You’re on at last. You’ve found the target. Now watch 
the disc come up. It’s black. You’ve only made an outer. There 
it is, away oft to the left, nearly on a line with the bottom of the 
bull’s-eye, about five feet from the centre of the target. You want 
about three points more wind gauge. That makes you nine points 
| for right wind. Another point elevation will do no harm. Now 
we are ready once more. 

Fourth Shot. —Centre, high, just over the top of the bull’s-eye, at 
the left-hand corner. I think we shall do now. It has begun to 
rain again, but the wind is not quite so powerful. We will take 
down our elevation about half a point. That ought to put us near 
the centre of the bull’s-eye. 

Fifth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, and a good one too. I thought we should 
get there at last. Try again. 

Sixth Shot. —Another buil’s-eye. We have found the right place, 
I think, and can afford to keep on, as we are doing well. 

Seventh Shot. —A miss. What was the cause of that miss ? The 
wind is the same, it rains about as hard as it did last shot, and you 
j have not altered elevation or wind gauge. Probably, you pulled off 




64 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


before you had a good sight, or your eyes were tired with straining. 
In any case it was your own fault, and nobody else’s. Next time * 
try to hold better. 

Eighth Shot. —Centre, to the right of the bull’s-eye. Don’t be in 
a hurry to alter your wind-gauge, unless you are certain you held 
right. If you are sure , you can go in a point, for I see the rain has 
stopped a moment and the wind is slowly dropping. 

Ninth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, right in the middle. Very good, indeed. 
You see it is all a matter of care and skill. I perceive that the wind 
is shifting to about I. o’clock now, and coming in gusts. That 
will reduce your wind gauge another point at least, but will increase 
your elevation, as it has become nearly a head wind. Put up the 
sight a point, and hold steady. 

lenth Shot. —Centre, just under the bull’s-eye. You want a little M 
more elevation still, but your wind gauge seems to have struck the 
right allowance. Go up another point. 

Eleventh Shot. —Bull’s-eye over the middle line. That will do. 
The wind is quite steady now, at I. o’clock, and it is growing lighter. 
That last squall has passed over. 

Twelfth Shot. —Bull’s-eye again, a little below the middle spot. 
We can keep this up, I hope. 

Thirteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, high, just beside No. 11. As long 
as we make bull’s-eyes it is not wise to quarrel with fortune by alter¬ 
ing sights, except very slightly and with great care. 

Fourteenth Shot. —Centre, just beside the middle of the bull’s-eye, 
but not on it. Cause ? Why, it’s very simple. You let one of your 
callipers touch the bull’s-eye, and had all the white on one side. 
Hold better next time. 

Fifteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, close to N.o. 9. That’s the way to 
finish a gcore. Let us see how it looks now : 






RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


65 


SHOTS. 

SCORE. 

ELEVATION. 

WIND GAUGE. 

WIND. 

Sighting . 

0 

114 112 

6 R 

m. 

1 . 

0 

116 

44 

(i 

2 . 

0 

110 

4 * 


3 . 

2 

118 

44 

u 

4 . 

4 

119 

9 R 

(t 

5 . 

5 

urn 

44 


6 . 

5 

44 


‘7 . 

0 

“ 

‘‘ 


8 . 

4 

a 

44 

li 

9.... . 

5 

“ 

8 R 

l i 


4 


7 R 

I. 

11 . 

5 

44 

(6 

12 . 

5 

120 

44 

t £ 

13 . 

5 

“ 

44 

i i 

14 . 

4 

“ 

u 

(i 

15 . 

5 

“ 

“ 


Total . 

53 




Average . 


119 

7 R 

II. 


Fifty-three out of seventy-five is respectable and will do for a 
beginning. So we can go back to 900 yards. We have made a little 
over seventy per cent, of the possible score. It is nearly twelve 
o’clock, for we have taken our time to shoot and wipe out between 
shots, averaging five minutes a shot. 

i * I think it will do no harm now to go to dinner, for it is very raw 
and cold, and if you go to 900 yards now you will find yourself 
shivering and shooting badly. You can get a hot dinner at the 
house back of the range. There are plenty of other riflemen there, 
and it will do you no harm, now practice is over, to compare notes 
and find what elevation and wind gauge the other men have been 
i using, and their results. 

^ Once at table, there is plenty of conversation. All the rifles have 
been cleaned and put away in their cases, and the marksmen have 
doffed their wet india-rubber coats and leggings. There are many 
varieties of character in the group. The men who talk the most are 
\ apt to be those who make the smallest scores. They are busy 
)| explaining outers and misses by laying them to the peculiar behavior 
Df their guns or something the matter with their ammunition. As 
we have found the factory ammunition regular and reliable in its 
action, we are not troubled much about the second cause, and it is 











































66 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


but seldom that the first exists in a match rifle from a good maker. 
We settled, I believe, before we began shooting, that, after we 
had once found the bull’s-eye, outers and misses were to be laid to 
our own carelessness and not blamed on the rifle. Holding to this 
opinion will save a man from much unnecessary worry. 

The best frame of mind for a rifleman to cultivate is one of imper¬ 
turbable coolness, for that makes a reliable shot at all times. A 
nervous, irritable man, with a quick temper, may somtimes make a j 
brilliant score, but he is always liable to become demoralized by an 
unlucky miss, and so to break down at the most important period of 
a match. Such a man may be a very dangerous addition to a team 
of long range marksmen, for his single misfortune at any one of 
the ranges, may pull down the team total and turn victory into 
defeat. When bull’s-eyes count five, misses count the same number 
against your own party and in favor of the enemy. I should not ^ 
advise you to stay very long at table, indulging in the pleasures of 
the palate. If you do, you will find yourself all the worse for the 
rest of the afternoon, with an overloaded stomach and general dis¬ 
comfort. Don’t go away hungry either, but take plenty of hot soup 
or tea, to raise the temperature of the body, for the weather keeps 
on cold and wet, and we have an afternoon’s shooting before us. 

Dinner is over at last, and we have plenty of time still, for they 
have called afternoon practice at 2 p. m. Now is time for rest and 
reflection. I should not advise smoking unless you are a very invet- ^ 
erate lover of the weed, in which case you may sutler in nerve from 
the deprivation, and may take a cigar. The habit is decidedly 
injurious to the eyesight, and should be avoided by those aiming at 
success in long range marksmanship. Drinking, of course, you will 
not indulge in. A single glass of champagne has been known to 
ruin a man’s score for the afternoon, after a brilliant beginning in 
the morning. 0 

When the movement of riflemen again sets in to the range we 
will go to the 900 yards firing point. ^ 

The rain has ceased and it is much lighter, while the dark clouds if 
are driving very rapidly. Look at the flags. The wind has changed, 
and it is blowing hard from IX. o'clock, probably to clear up. It 
grows colder, too, and we shall need all the warmth supplied by a 
hot dinner and thick clothing to keep us up to our work. The tar- ^ 
gets look much smaller here at 900 yards than they did at 800. You 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


67 


will need about twenty points more for a trial elevation. Your wind 
gauge must shift over for left wind, and as you see it is blowing a 
regular gale, I would put it at least twelve points for left wind. 
Let us see how that will answer. Whenever you are ready we will 
begin our practice. „ 

Remember that you must hold very steady, for you have changed 
your distance, and the allowable tremor is very small. We will take 
<( our second size of callipers, so that the bull’s-eye may appear the same 
as it did at 800 yards. Arrange your mat for comfort, and try a sight 
with the empty piece before firing. Now we are ready. 

First Shot .—The white disc. You made a bull’s-eye. The disc 
comes up to the left of the bull’s-eye, on the exact line of the 
middle, showing that we have a perfect elevation, and that our wind- 
f gauge allowance is ample. Let us put that down as first scoring 
4 shot, for there is no special use in a sighting shot after one has 
found the range, except in a match, where every chance should 
be taken. To-day we don’t want to be too long shooting. 

. Second Shot. —Inner, low, right. That was very probably due to 
careless holding, so I would not change the sight yet. Try again. 

Third Shot. —Outer, low, left. Down in the left-hand corner of 
the target. What have you been doing ? Ah, I see. You put your 
wind gauge to 12% points, though I warned you against it. More¬ 
over, the wind is lulling and shifting to half-past eight. You must 
'bring in the wind gauge. As the wind is decidedly falling, I 
would try the wind gauge at 10 points, and try another point eleva¬ 
tion. 

Fourth Shot .—That did the business. Bull’s-eye, to the left. We 
have a little too much wind gauge yet. Put it back to 9£. The 
, wind is dropping still. 

Fifth Shot. —Bull’s-eye again, same height, opposite side, near 
^the edge. Wind a little too much for 9i. Try 10 points again. 

> Sixth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, just below No. 5. The wind must be 
increasing. Yes, here comes a strong gust. Put the sight over to 
jll-} points. We shall need it all for this gust. 

L Seventh Shot. —Outer, line with bottom of bull’s-eye, in the middle 
of the right division. That must be careless holding. Try again 
with the same sight, and hold steady. 

' Eighth Shot .—Outer again, near the same place. That will not 

> do. That was 40 inches off the centre, and low. Give us 13 left 


68 


RIFLE'S AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


wind gauge, and a half point more elevation, and we’ll try once f 
more. 

Ninth Shot. —Outer again, on the other side; elevation good, but 
too much wind allowance. There goes the wind, dropping again. 
Very puzzling to make a good score in such weather. Down it 
goes, lower and lower. Put the wind gauge at 11, and try it. 

Tenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye at last, in the lower left-hand corner. 
Wind still dropping, lower and lower. Put back the wind-gauge u 
to 8£. 

Eleventh Shot. —Best bull’s-eye yet, inside of No. 6. The wind ) 
lulls more and more. Take in two more points. That leaves it 6|. ( 
Twelfth Shot. -^BulPs-eye again. We shall do now. 

T'hirteenth Shot. —Outer, to the right, under No. 8. That won’t 
do at all. That wind gauge must go back to 8 points. Nothing j 
so deceptive as varying wind. ^ 

Fourteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, right in the middle. Very good. 
The wind lulls again. Come back to 7 points left. Now for the - 
last shot. ^ 

Fifteenth Shot. —Outer, to the left. Too much wind allowance 
by 3 points, for the wind fell to a mere breeze while you were aiming. 
Well, it can’t be helped. Let us see how the score stands now, 
and how the target looks beside that made at 800 yards. 



SHOTS. 

SCORE. 

ELEVATION. 

WIND GAUGE. 

WIND. 


Sighting 

2 

3 . 

4 . 

5 . 

6 . 

7 . 

8 . 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13 . 

14 . 

15 . 


0 

140 

12 

5 

140 

12 

3 

“ 

“ 

2 

“ 


5 

141 

10 

5 

“ 

9^ 

5 

“ 

10 

2 

“ 

11^ 

“ 

2 

I* 

2 

1413^ 

13 

5 

11 

5 

“ 


5 

“ 

e y 2 

2 


5 

“ 

8 

2 


7 

55 




IX. 

VIII Jtf. 


Total 







































RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


69 




(These cuts are taken from actual targets made in practice, and 
represent real, not ideal scores.) 


if 


l 


* 


f 



Target 900 Yards. 



p — 



/ / 4 \ 

/ / 9 * \ \ 

8 




0 


I K* '•* 1 




l l /y * 1 i 


/3 

Q 





J 


2 

z 


V / ♦ 



No. 2 does not look so handsome. Rather scattering, but less 
misses. Never mind. In the next chapter we’ll show a better ones 












70 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


It is believed that the instruction conveyed in the foregoing 
chapters, if aided by an abundant practice, will enable any man suffi-^ 
ciently fond of rifle practice to follow it with diligence and care, 
to make a creditable showing in competition with marksmen 
of acknowledged skill. I shall, therefore, not follow the details 
further, but shall leave the aspirant to apply his own observation and * 
experience toward particularizing the general rules I have endeavored 
to furnish him. I shall suppose that he has acquired sufficient con-; 
fidence in himself to enter into a long range competition for a placei 
on the champion team, and shall suppose, moreover, that he has 
overcome the first troubles of thousand-yard shooting, which are * 
merely modifications of those at eight and nine hundred yards, and 
that he is ready to enter in the struggle for preeminence, with a quiet i 
resolve to win an honorable place. He will have in this struggle to 
depend on himself alone. If he is a stranger to the other, competi¬ 
tors his position will be far from enviable, for he will get no points 
from them, and will be pretty sure to see them helping each other, 
to his exclusion. This is natural, if not altogether pleasant to the>. 
outsider. When he has won his place in the team he will find every¬ 
thing much easier, for it is then the interest of the whole team to 
develop its best shots, and the improvement attained by concert of 
action is surprising. I suppose this state of the case, because it is 
one which will be the experience of most of the readers of these 
pages, if they enter into long range competitions. The number of’ 
long-range marksmen is so small that any one taking up tli§-* 
pastime is pretty sure to find himself among strangers, and one of i 
the most prominent advantages of the sport will be found by sucM 
in the habits of self-reliance it inculcates. 1 

Once more let us take the train for our range, be it Creedmoor? 
or any other of the first-class ranges where the shooting is practiced! 
up to a thousand yards. We will suppose that we have come to 
the last day of the contest for places, that scores are pretty evenlj^ 
balanced, and that the marksman feels that he has a chance to-day. 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


71 


of attaining a good place on the team, while carelessness may put 
him back into the reserve. Practice and familiarity with the ground 
has made the shooting much more rapid by this time, and it has been 
determined to begin practice at two o’clock in the afternoon ; as the 
sun does not set till nearly seven. The range looks beautiful to-day, 
grass and trees a soft green, the air balmy and delicious, breeze 
slight and favorable, everything promising fine shooting. Before 
, we begin let us enter the particulars in our score-book. “Range, 
Saturday, June, —,187-, 800yards; wind, VII. o’clock, gentle breeze 
to light brisk ; weather, overcast but splendid for light; temperature, 
75 degrees; time, 2.15 p. m. ; light, dull gray; position, Fulton; 
rifle, match, .44 cal. ; powder, 105 grains; ball, 520 grains; sight, 
earwig callipers No. 1.” 

I will leave out the elevation for the present, with the remark that 
t it is the lowest ever used, on account of the rear wind, and moist, 
warm atmosphere. We will commence with our sighting shots. I 
should take only one point for left wind to start with. Nerves are 
steady to-day, stomach in good order, condition prime. 

First Sighting Shot. —Bull’s-eye. That augurs well, for a good 
beginning is half the battle. It is not necessary to take another. We 
may as well score at once. 

s First Scoring Shot. —Centre, just at the edge, too. Had that been 
a sighting shot it might not have mattered, blit as it is, it spoils our 
hope of that string of bull’s-eyes which we all strive for, and so few 
get. I think we will take in a half point wind gauge to bring us 
inside the bull’s-eye. 

Second Shot. —Bull’s-eye, well over to the left. I’m not so sure 
about that wind gauge. However, we’ll try another shot and see if 
that lands still to the left. 

J Third Shot. —Bull’s-eye again, near the right edge of the bull. 

; That half point must be taken again, for it is beginning to puff 
pretty briskly from VII. A full point left now. Our elevation is all 
right. 

y Fourth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, nearer the middle. We’ll try again with 
the same sight. 


72 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


Fifth Shot. —Close to No. 4, a little more to the left, but both 
above the middle line of the bull. Once more. 

Sixth Shot. —Bull’s-eye again, same perpendicular line exactly, but 
still higher. This is getting dangerous. We shall go about nine 
inches higher next time and get on the white again, if we are not 
careful. Our margin is so narrow I think we had better comedown 
a little. Let us try half a point lower. 

V 

Seventh Shot. —Another bull’s-eye. Now keep cool. I know it is 
exciting, but excitement leads a man off the bull’s-eye very quickly. 
Your shot was on exactly the same line as 4, 5, and 6, but too low. i 
Put up that half point again, and take half a point more wind 
gauge. We are too near the edge of the bull’s-eye. 

Eighth Shot. —Bull’s-eye again, to the right, excellent elevation, s 
but the wind gauge allowance was too much. Take in a quarter of ^ 
a point. 

I 

. Ninth Shot. —One more bull’s-eye. Not enough wind gauge yet. 
Put on that quarter again. Make it 1 £ left. 


Tenth Shot. —Best bull’s-eye, on the very centre of the bull. 
Couldn’t be better. Never mind counting your score now, or reck¬ 
oning how many bull’s-eyes you have made. There are five more to ^ 
make if you expect to go out with flying colors to-day. 


Eleventh Shot. —Bull’s-eye, companion to No. 10. I think we have 
got this thing to a fine point now, as to elevation and wind gauge. 
It all depends on steady holding. 


Twelfth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, just above 10 and 11. Go on now.^1 
Three more to make that string of bull’s-eyes. 

Ill 

Thirteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, but a dangerous one, down by No. 9. i 
Hold better, or you’ll be off. 

Fourteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, much better. Good safe margin all J 
round it. Must be careful though. I see the wind is falling. Take 
in a quarter of a point. Now for the last shot, || 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


73 


Fifteenth Shot.—The, last bull’s-eye, as good as the best. The 
whole fifteen shots with only one alteration of elevation, half a 
point ; wind gauge shifting from 1 point left to 1}, closing at 1$. 
Let us see how record and target look : 


Saturday , June —, 187—, Range , 800 Yards. 


SHOTS. 

SCORE. 

ELEVATION. 

WIND GAUGE. 

WIND. 

Sighting. 

5 

100 

1 L 

VII. 

1. 

4 

t t 

it 

ti 

2. 

5 - 

, n 

34 l 



5 

tt 

1 L 

tt 

4. 

5 

it 

tt 

tt 

5. 

5 

l t 

t< 

ti 

6. 

5 

it 

tt 

ti 

7.... 

5 

99}4 


ti 

8. 

5 

100 


t t 

9. 

5 

it 

134 

tt 

10. 

5 

it 

134 

ti 

11. 

5 

it 

it 

tt 

12. 

5 

tt 

tt 

ti 

13. 

5 

ti 

tt 

ti 

14. 

5 

it 

tt 

it 

15. 

5 

it 

134 

tt 

Total. 

74 

... 


.... 


Strength of Wind , G. B. to light brisk ; Weather, overcast; Temperature , 75°.; 
Time , 2.15 p. m.; Light , dull gray ; Position , Fulton ; Rifle , match, .44 cal.; Powder, 
105 grs.; Ball, 520 grs.; Sight , earwig callipers No. 1. 


Remarks .—With a little more care might have made a full score. 


Target 800 Yards. 



4 









































74 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


I think we can afford to go back to 900 yards now, for 98f/ 
per cent, is about as much as most marksmen can do at their best. 
To be sure one or two men have made “full scores,” but those are 
the rarest kind of exceptions, and I don’t propose to lecture on them. 

I see you are no longer depressed or anxious. It was a pretty 
heavy strain on the nerves making that string of fourteen consecu¬ 
tive bull’s-eyes, I admit. The first three or four are not very difficult, 
but when you come to mount up near the tenth, the anxiety not to)ij 
spoil the score becomes overwhelming, and the sense of relief when 
the last bull’s-eye is made, is only a measure of the past strain. I j 
should hardly suppose it possible for any man who has made a full j 
score at 800 yards, to repeat the” feat at 900 or 1,000 in the same ‘ 
match, unless he were made of very uncommon fibre ; whereas a high 
score, short of the maximum, will encourage a man to do still better, I 
till he ends like Mr. Milner, of the Irish team of 1876, in performing^ 
the wonderful feat of making fifteen consecutive bull’s-eyes at 1,000 ^ 
yards. 

Now we will go back to 900 yards. I would recommend you not i 
to be too much elated with your score at 800 yards, for the old 
saying about pride having a fall is just as true on the rifle range as 
elsewhere. 

I notice that you smile, as who should say that ‘ ‘ a man who can 


make 74 out of a possible 75, at 800 yards, needs no advice.” Well, 


9 




perhaps not. We shall see. 

Here we are at 900 yards. You won’t take any sighting shots. 
Very good. I always do when I can get the privilege. Misses and 
outers don’t look so bad on the score-book when they are credited 
to sighting shots, and they don’t pull down the score. 

You have taken 16 points more elevation, I see, and two points!; 
left wind. Fire has opened. We will begin. A 

First Shot. —Centre, high, right, near the “inner” line. Same as 
first scoring shot at 800. Perhaps you may have the same lucki 
Try again. j 

Second Shot. —Outer, more than three feet from the middle of thej j 
bull’s-eye. It might have been as well to have taken those sighting 
shots. Too much wind gauge, of course. Put her in a point an 
hold steady. You may make a good score yet. 

Third Shot. —Bull’s-eye, high, right. Yes, of course, you can do 





RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


75 


it if you please, being a skilled marksman, but for all that, an outer 
is an outer, and only counts 2. 

Fourth Shot. -Bull’s-eye again, high centre. You’re getting too 
high. You know iL Well, what will you do ? Why come down a 
'point, of course. I know what to do. 

Fifth Shot. —Centre, very low, almost an inner. Better improve 
on that elevation. No. Go on then. 

Sixth Shot. —No noise, no disc, no flag. We’ll score that next 
time. I think we can safely call it a miss, the more so because I saw 
the dirt fly under the target. I think, also, that your high shots 
U were probably due to careless holding as much as elevation. Try the 
| first elevation again, and a quarter point more wind gauge. 

> Seventh Shot. —It’s as well to take advice sometimes. A good 
bull’s-eye, a little low, but that was holding low. 

Eighth Shot. —Best bull’s-eye yet, plumb centre. We shall do 
now, if you take pains. 

Ninth Shot. —A miss again. Now there could only be one cause 

> for that miss. You were excited and angry about your spoiled 
\ score, and so pulled off in a hurry, trusting to luck. You see, you 
f 'have only succeeded in spoiling your score still further. 

j Tenth Shot. —Centre, below. Almost but not quite a bull’s-eye. 
You are not careful about your callipers being level with the bull’s- 
eye. I see you are twisting up your sight a trifle. That may help, 
v*but good holding is the real point. 

4 Eleventh Shot. —Bull’s-eye, right; splendid elevation, but pulled 
| off a little. 

\j Twelfth Shot. — Centre, beside No. 10. Put up the sight half a 
I point. 

f Thirteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, down in right corner. A quarter 
/point more wind gauge needed. 

| Fourteenth Sfyot. —Bull’s-eye, right in the middle. Now close 
•with a good one, 


76 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


Fifteenth Shot. —Centre, low. No use talking about it. You held ' 
too low, and that’s all the matter. j 

Let us examine score and target as before : 

Saturday , June —, 187—, Range , 900 Yards. 


SHOTS. 

SCORE. 

ELEVATION. 

WIND GAUGE. 

WIND. 

Sighting . 




VII. 

1 . 

4 

iid 

2 L 

44 

2.. 

2 

u 

44 

44 

3. 

5 

u 

1 L 

44 

4. 

5 

cc 

44 

44 

5. 

4 

115 

44 

44 

6. 

0 

a 

44 

44 

7 . 

5 

116 

m 

44 

8 . 

5 

44 

1 R 

U 

9 . 

0 

44 

44 

44 

10 . 

4 

<4 

44 

44 

11 . 

5 

H6 

4 b 

44 

44 

12 . 

4 

44 

“ 

13 . 

5 

4 4 

44 

44 

14 . 

5 

44 

134 

44 


4 

44 


44 

Total . 

57 

... 

... 

.... 


Strength of Wind , brisk to gentle; Weather, cloudy ; Temperature, 75° ; Time \ 
3.15 p. m. ; Light, dull gray; Position, Fulton; Bifle, match, .44 cal.; Powder, 105 grs.; } 
Ball, 520 grs.; Sight, earwig callipers No. 2. 

Remarks .—Was careless at this range, and thereby lost the' " 
opportunity of making a very high score. f 


Target 900 Yards. 










































HtFt.ES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


77 


It’s no use crying over spilled milk. Fifty-seven after seventy-four 
v is a heavy fall, all the way from 98f per cent, to 76 per cent., a loss 
of 22$ per cent. It was due to exactly two things, carelessness and 
r conceit. If you want to retrieve yourself at 1,000 yards, there is 
ample time, for the sun is still well up, and they will move back, 
commencing at 4.15 p. m. I have an idea you will do better, for 
900 yards has been a severe lesson. 

Well, let us go back. 

How small the target looks at 1,000 yards. I tell you it is a very 
easy matter to miss at this range, for the trajectory is higher, the 
* wind has more influence, and the apparent size of the bull’s-eye is 
less than at any other range. We run no risk of under-estimating 
the difficulties here, and with care may do a good deal of credit to 
our score. I should take about eighteen points over the elevation 
' at 900 yards, for you remember we were low almost all the time there. 

\ The wind gauge will be quite a small left allowance, for the wind 
is going down with the sun, and it is now half-past four. We may 
~get to zero before we are through. How a good, careful aim. 

First Shot. —Inner, low, left. Too much wind allowance; not 
enough elevation. Take in a point wind, put up a point elevation. 

Second Shot. —Bull’s-eye, and a good one, in the middle of the 
? black. Sights all right. 

Third Shot.— Bull’s-eye again, high left. A quarter point less 
/ wind gauge for next shot. 


Fourth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, under Ho. 2. Keep on the same way. 


Fifth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, very low, left, just at the edge of the 
* black. Too much wind, not enough elevation. Go up and come in 
\ each half a point. That makes about ten inches in a thousand yards, 
| and ought to put us near the middle of the bull’s-eye. 

f Sixth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, good one, in the middle. 

Seventh Shot. —Bull’s-eye, still nearer the middle. 

Eighth Shot.— Centre, left, low. Either the wind is wrong or you 
held wrong. Go up half a point and come in on the wind gauge a 
very small fraction. 


78 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


Ninth Shot. —Good bull’s-eye in the very middle of the black. 
Try again. 

Tenth Shot. —Inner, to the right, near the centre. We have come 
in altogether too much on our wind gauge. Go to a full point, left 
wind. It’s breezing up from VII. o’clock. 


Eleventh Shot. —Bull’s-eye, middle line, a little high, but that was 
bad holding. Try again. Wind falling. 

Twelfth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, exact centre, or so near it as to make 
no difference. Wind dropping, £ left wind gauge. 

Thirteenth Shot. —Look at that now. Inner, very high, right. 
That was the last puff. Take a point left. 

Fourteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, right. Next shot take 1£ point 'j 
wind, and raise half a point. The light is failing us. 

Fifteenth Shot. —Bull’s-eye, a little too high. Lucky it’s the last ^ 
shot. Now we can examine target and score. We have made eleven 
bull’s-eyes, one centre, and three inners—68 points all told. The 
aggregate of three ranges is 199 points out of 225. Below is score 
and target at 1,000 yards : 


Saturday , June —, 187—, Range , 1,000 Yards . 


8HOT8. 

SCOHE. 

ELEVATION. 

WIND GAUGE. 

WIND. 

Siehtincr. 




VII.toVIIL 
and back. 

11 


3 

135 

44 

2 L 

IJfc 1 * 

2 . 

5 

3 . 

5 

14 

4 . 

5 

u 

m 

1 L 

3^. L 

44 


5 

u 

44 

6 . 

5 

13E% 

<t 

7 . 

5 

ii 

8 . 

4 

u 

<4 

44 

9 . 

5 

136 

XL 

«4 

10 . 

3 

44 

11 . 

5 

u 

1 L 

44 


5 

u 

Ml 

baL 

1 L 

44 

13 . 

3 

II 

44 — 

14. 

5 

44 

4 ; 

15 . 

5 

136^ 

IMl 

44 




Total. 

68 











\ 

i 





































RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


79 


-» Strength of Wind, gentle to brisk; Weather , cloudy ; Temperature, 68°; Time, 
4.30 p. m. ; Light, dull gray, clear; Position, Fulton ; Rifle, match, .44 cal.; Powder, 
* 105 grs.; Ball, 520 grs.; Sight, earwig callipers No. 2. 

fa 

Remarks. —The light and wind rather puzzling. Made good 
score. 


/ 

r 

r 

i 

w> 

i 

Such, reader, is a record of actual practice of a good high average. 
You will see from the failure at 900 yards, how important it is to 
keep a cool head at all times. Hereafter we can suppose the marks¬ 
man able to take care of himself, and can leave him with a parting 
( word of caution. This word is— Practice ! 

Without practice the best marksman soon becomes rusty, with it 
the lack of experience is soon overcome. America looks to her 
marksmen of the future to surpass the best of those she has had in 
the past, and relies on them to renew and perpetuate the glorious 
record which has given them the long range championship of the 
y world. 


Target 1,000 Yards. 






80 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER IX. 

TEAM SHOOTING. 

The public interest excited by the exploits of American marksmen 
in long range team matches, and the approach of the International 
match of 1877, rendered it advisable to extend this series of i 
papers beyond the length originally intended, for the purpose of in¬ 
cluding team shooting, I am gratified to learn that my esteemed 
friend and old comrade, Colonel John Bodine, has contributed to 
The Spirit an article on the subject, which covers points likely to j 
occur in the management of a team during a match; and having 
examined that article, I can cordially indorse the advice given there¬ 
in. My purpose in this chapter is to illustrate only those matters ^ 
omitted by Colonel Bodine, so as to make The Spirit series com¬ 
plete. The Colonel’s article starts with a team already formed. I 
propose to treat of the manner of its formation, the methods of 
selecting the best men, with a special view to the guidance of rifle 
associations to whose members Creedmoor is not available, especially 
those desiring to form teams for matches at long range between the 
States. 

There are different ways of selecting a team: 

1 

1. The most popular and obvious is that of open competition, the 

question of the personnel of the team being settled by the highest 
aggregate scores of competitors in rotation, the makers of such scores 
taking their places as of right. i 

2. A second way is to entrust the selection of the team entirely to 1 
the discretion of a captain, who is arbitrarily selected by the board i 
of directors or council of the rifle club or association. 

3. A third way is to take a certain number of the best men, set¬ 
tled by open competition, and to allow these to elect the team from 
among themselves, according to the discretion of the majority. 

4. A fourth way is a mingling of all three systems, part of the 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


81 


team being selected by open competitions, another part elected by 
the exercise of discretion. 

r The first of these methods was adopted by the Irish Team of 1875, 
at Dollymount, and resulted badly for them, on account of its 
rigidity. Mr. John Rigby, perhaps the most reliable shot in Ireland, 
was, by this rule, excluded from the final team, on account of one 
' or two unlucky days, and for want of time to attend to the compe- 
1 titions, and his loss from the team turned out to be irreparable. 

The second way is that adopted by the British National Rifle 
9 Association, in 1877, they having appointed Sir Henry Halford 
captain of their team, leaving the details entirely to his discre¬ 
tion, and being guided in their own choice by their knowledge 
of Sir Henry’s experience. 

The third method was that adopted by the Americans in 1874, and 
I resulted well. In 1875, it was changed to the competitive plan, 
which added Mr. Coleman and several others to the five men of the 
team of 1874, who had retained their places under the competitive 
system. The team which finally shot in the match was selected by 
the exercise of the discretion of its members, as in 1874. 

The fourth method is the one adopted by the American National 
Rifle Association for 1877, part of the team having been chosen 
by rigid competition, part by the exercise of discretion. 

I 

. TEAM SELECTION. 

f I have been asked to indicate which of these systems I judge to 
' be the most desirable and universally applicable, and to be recom¬ 
mended as a general rule for other rifle associations and clubs. The 
best answer to this will be found in the following recommendations 
K for a hypothetical case. 

S I shall suppose that the Michigan Rifle Association wishes to select 
the strongest team possible from its members to shoot at the annual 
r competition for the Inter-State Long Range Challenge Shield, involv- 
i ing the Long Range Championship of America. None of the direc- 
i tors feel that it would be wise to nominate a team captain, besides 
i which they have no man in the association to whom every one con- 
l cedes the requisite ability and experience to justify the reference of 
( the question to his sole discretion. The strict competitive system 
L, has been tried by the association for a series of years, and has not 


82 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


yet resulted in victory. With plenty of good marksmen, they have 
not yet found the best in the United States, and they wish some 
advice as to the way to secure the strongest possible men. 

Under these circumstances, I should advise the directors to select 
a committee of three or five of their own members, taking those who 
have the most knowledge of the qualities of the usual competitors in 
the association matches, and to entrust all the details of the match 
to the discretion of this committee, holding them responsible for the 
team. I name an uneven number, because a tie vote is thereby ren¬ 
dered impossible; a small number, because large bodies are apt to 4 
divide into three or more clashing parties. Five members are pre¬ 
ferable to three, in my opinion, but more than five are to be avoided, 
as also less than three. # 

It should be the duty of this committee to select from among the 
known marksmen of the society a certain number of competitors, ! 
from among whom the team is to be chosen, partly by competition, 
partly by the exercise of discretion. I am decidedly opposed to any * 
rigid rules as to a right to places on the team, founded on any short 
series of competitions. The scores of competitors are important, but 
should not absolutely control the choice, unless there be at least 
twelve competitions, and as many more as possible. If it were 
practicable to have twelve or sixteen competitions, extending over a 
period of three months, and if it were further possible to ensure the 
same conditions to every competitor during the whole of that time 
(as to health, condition of rifle and ammunition, and leisure for com- . 
petition), there is no doubt that the competitive system, pure and j 
simple, would result in the selection of the best team. As matters 
stand, and under the ordinary allowance of four or six competitions, 
the rule, in spite of its plausible appearance, cannot be depended ony s 
to furnish the best possible team for a given match, especially under ( 
the severe tests imposed by modern rifle matches before crowds of J 
spectators, with the reputation of a locality hanging on the issue. 
The first, last, and only concern of the committee in charge of the ' 1 
arrangements for a team match should be to select a winning team, 
and the private feelings of members of a club should not be allowed ’! 
to sway the decision of the committee, if they are satisfied that, by < 
bending to those feelings, they will injure the final success of the 
team. 

The first measure to be inaugurated by the committee in charge is ’ 1 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


83 


a series of competitions as numerous and as extended as the time 
before the contest will permit. These competitions should be attended 
- by a sub-committee, whose duty should be to watch the performances 
of all the competitors with the utmost strictness, so as to form a clear 
idea of the characters of the men and of their respective progress and 
reliability. These competitions ought to be twelve in number at 
least. Six are too few for any but experienced shots, and the small 
number of trials gives this class an undue advantage over those younger 
shots who may have within them the making of better marksmen 
> under proper training, but who lack the experience of their seniors. 
It may happen at the close of a short series that there exists a tie, or 
very nearly so, between A and B. A has a point or two the advan¬ 
tage of B in the aggregate, but A is a young shot, B an old hand. 
" In such a case, with a short time intervening before the decisive 
, match, a prudent committee would take B on account of his experi¬ 
ence. They know what B can do, and there is no certainty that A 
^ may not break down on a match-day, under the new conditions, and 
so cause the defeat of his team. A series of twelve competitions 
would have given A considerable experience, and so decided his 
claims for or against a place as compared with B. 

Another case may, and frequently does, arise as between C and D. 
Both are equal in experience, or rather inexperience, for both are new 
' shots. At the end of six competitions, on the rigidly competitive 
, system, they are “tied” for the last place on the team, and the dis- 
. cretion of the committee is necessarily invoked to decide the point. 
( In this case the committee finds the scores to stand thus: 


1 2 3 4 5 6 Average. 

C’s percentage. 46 58 65 76 82 88 69.1-6 

D’s percentage. 62 67 70 72 70 74 69.1-6 


\ A prudent committee would, by all means, take C rather than D. 
1 The last opened brilliantly, and for three competitions was ahead of 
^ C, but the latter has displayed, incomparably, the most improve¬ 
ment, and his scores show that his ultimate limit is, probably, far 
above that of D. Under a good team-captain he is nearly certain to 
j beat D, and improve even on his closing score, which is already 
i splendid. 

A case may easily arise under the system of few competitions, in 
; which E, an old and reliable shot, who has made first-class scores 
* in previous matches, is only able to attend one or two competitions 




84 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


on account of business, and in those competitions has not shot up to 
his old standard. It is known to the committee that E is willing to 
arrange his affairs so as to take ‘full practice with the team when < 
organized, but that he cannot afford to lose his time on an uncer¬ 
tainty. The question for the committee to decide is, how far can 
they trust to E’s experience and capacity to regain his old position, 
and how much of a falling off will show that he has permanently 
lost it ? In such a case I am inclined to think that if the falling off 
noticed is inside of five per cent., it may safely be disregarded, but 
•that a difference of from five to ten per cent, shows that some causes 5 
are at work which indicate a permanent deterioration, most probably 
connected with the health of E, who should, therefore, be rejected, 
unless he can show, in a public trial, that he shoots as well as ever. 

PHYSIQUE. 

This last case brings me to the next branch of the question, which " 
is, what grade of physique is to be preferred by a committee in 
selecting the best possible team for a match at long range, extending 
over one or two full days ? Are tall men or short to be preferred, 
stout men or thin, muscular or average, sanguine or bilious, nervous 
or phlegmatic ? 

The answer to these questions differs somewhat to-day from what * 
would have been the case a few years ago. When the prone position 
was generally used for long-range shooting there were many advan- 
tages possessed by a tall, powerful man, with long limbs and plenty | 
of physical strength, which were denied to a man of small, slight 
frame. The length of the upper arm gave a broader base for the 
triangle formed by the breast and elbows of the marksman, on^ 
which rested the rifle, and the positive superiority of inert resistance i 
to the shock of the rifle was greater in the case of a two-hundred j 
pound man, six feet high, than that of a hundred and thirty pounci^ 
man of five feet six inches, by just so many square inches of ground . 
surface and pounds of weight. The greater strength of such a man 
was better able to receive the shock of the heavy recoil incident to j 
100 grains of powder, and the positive strain on his system was not.J 
so great. Besides this, the physical effort of supporting a ten-pound 
rifle with perfect steadiness in the prone position, where the leverage 
is all against the marksman, is very unequal between a tall and a 4 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


85 


short man, or a strong and a slight man. The tall, strong man, by 
the length of his arm, gains several inches of leverage over the short 
man, while the lesser strength of the latter makes him need the 
assistance more than does his stronger comrade. 

In the rifle matches up to 1874, when the prone position in rifle¬ 
shooting was generally used, the causes mentioned above operated so 
extensively as to lead to the almost exclusive presence of large and 
powerful men on rifle teams. Both the Irish and American teams of 
1874 were, as a rule, composed of large men, and even where great 
height was not present, physical strength and weight were general, 
especially with those marksmen who used the prone position. 

The general introduction of the “American back positions,” in 
all their varieties, has altered this state of things to a certain extent. 
The main secret of all these positions is that of taking up the recoil 
with the arms, the labor of supporting the rifle itself being reduced 
to a minimum, and the strain on the system being avoided by the 
exercise of art. The reduction in the positive physical effort neces¬ 
sary for each shot has enabled medium-sized and slightly-built men 
to compete with a greater hope of success against men of large 
frame than they could when the prone position was universal. It 
must not be imagined, however, that the others do not still retain 
some advantage, for, after all, a large part of marksmanship is 
purely education of the muscles, and the positive strain, incident to 
, the discharge of a match rifle, remains constant, no matter who is 
. behind it. Therefore it stands to reason that A, who can lift 500 
lbs. with ease, is less likely to experience trouble with this ‘ ‘ constant 
factor ” than B, who can lift 250 lbs. with some difficulty. While 
the use of the back position has brought the “ constant ” within B’s 
powers, it has still further reduced the physical effort of A, leaving 
the difference t.Q be made up by B’s superior mental power and per- 
! severance, if he can find them. 

^ If the former advantage of height and weight has been modified 
by the use of the back position, that of physical strength and health 
has not been altered. With marksmen of otherwise equal ability to 
choose from, for a long match before many people, with great inter- 
y ests depending on the result, no prudent committee would hesitate a 
moment if there was a difference in strength and health between two 
competitors. The man of most strength, and in most vigorous 
h health, shohld be taken, by all means, for the strain on the system, 


86 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


caused by the excitement of a long and close match, is very wearing, 
to say nothing of the jar caused by the repetition of heavy recoils 
during a forty-five or fifty-shot match. Perfect physical health, so 
as to insure staying power, is the sine quh non of team selection for a 
rifle match as much as for a boat-race. 

MENTAL PECULIARITIES. 

In choosing the men for a winning team with an eye to the most 
favorable mental peculiarities, there are a few safe general rules, 
within which lies a large field for discretion. I should consider it 
advisable to take, by preference, quiet men of quick perception, good 
listeners, and not much given to talking. Good listeners are especially 
valuable, as they are apt to give close attention to instructions, and to 
weigh well the advice of others without being too eager to proffer 
their own. Among the prominent mental characteristics of the mem¬ 
bers of winning rifle teams is determination to conquer, and the abil¬ 
ity to concentrate all their powers toward the accomplishment of the 
work in hand, rendering themselves oblivious to all surroundings 
and all considerations except those that necessarily enter into the per¬ 
formance of their task. Phrenologically this used to be called com¬ 
bativeness and destructiveness, from the form in which it appears ^ 
when abnormally developed, but the safer modem titles of “ execu¬ 
tiveness ” and “ determination ” express it better, and without a large 
share of this quality no man will succeed as a rifleman, while with it ^ 
all sorts of physical obstacles fail to deter the aspirant from ultimate j 
success. This quality was especially apparent in two of the members 
of the teams of 1874-5, Messrs. Dakin and Fulton, combined in the 
latter with great keenness of perception. It appears also in Colonel * 
Bodine, with a temperament remarkably earnest, careful, and method- 4 
ical in every action. In Mr. Yale it comes out with great physical 1 
courage, well illustrated by an incident in his life. On one occasion ^ 
he was attacked from behind by a footpad, who struck him a severe 
blow, partially stunning him, and felling him to the ground. Never¬ 
theless, Yale scrambled up, fought his assailant with his bare hands, j 
and finally succeeded in conquering him and taking him to the police -4 
office a prisoner. This incident shows remarkable determination. 

Another quality very common among riflemen is that of mechanical 
ability. They all Is now how to make their own alterations in guns M 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


87 


and sights, and prefer to do it themselves. Sir Henry Halford has a 
regular small-arms shop at his country residence, where he uses the 
turning-lathe and tools of all sorts with great dexterity. General 
Dakin made all sorts of little things required in his shooting. Yale 
and Hepburn are both gunmakers, and heads of large factories; and 
Fulton is an experienced and successful engineer. Other qualities 
will suggest themselves by observation. Silent men are apt to be 
cool men, nervous men to talk a good deal. Take the cool ones. 
All good men at long range are fond of fair play, and scorn to take 
>' unfair advantage, but are tenacious of their rights. The present 
hints are probably sufficient to indicate the limits of discretion to a 
committee. Within them there is a large liberty of choice. In my 
next chapter I propose to treat of the proper composition and duties 
of the officers of a team, so as to leave the field clear to Colonel 
Bodine, who tells how it is managed in the match. 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER X. 

COMPOSITION OF TEAM. 

I shall now suppose that the committee in charge has, by the 
methods of selection alluded to in last chapter, secured the best 
team which could be found among marksmen of the association. 
The next question that arises is the proper composition, numbers, 
and officers of this team and its auxiliaries. 

The number of the team itself, for a long range match, may be 
said to be virtually settled by the custom of the annual English con¬ 
test for the Elcho Shield. In that match, which has been the model 
for others, the teams from the three localities represented are each 
of eight men, the ranges 800, 900, and 1,000 yards, the number of 
shots fifteen at each range. This match has set the standard ever 
since its first institution, except in the number of men. The Irish, 
in 1874, having the option between six and eight, chose six as the 
safest number. The Americans did the same at Dollymount in 1875,' 
but since that time the number of long range marksmen in the 
United States has increased to such an extent that teams of eight are 
no longer difficult to procure. I shall, therefore, suppose that the 
association team is composed of eight men, with a captain, adjutant, 1 
scorers, and spotters, besides reserves, and shall treat of the duties 
of the auxiliaries and officers, leaving to Colonel Bodine to describe 
their employment in the match itself. 

THE CAPTAIN. j 

The captain of a team is to be its official head in all its communi¬ 
cations with the outside world. No one should be allowed to ap¬ 
proach the individual members of the team at any time after its i 
formation, save through the captain, who is responsible for the sue- j 
cess of the match. He is the executive of the team, presides at all 
its meetings, should have a tie vote on all questions of policy, and 
announce the result of all votes on such questions. In the manage- J 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


89 


ment of a team, before a match, many questions arise which demand 
the exercise of the best judgment of all the members, and on these 
matters well-regulated teams deliberate, so as to secure the result of 
that judgment. There are other questions, such as order of firing, 
the proper men to shoot together in the same squad, the assign¬ 
ment of scorers and markers, position of squads at targets, 
which should be decided by the captain on his own judg¬ 
ment, as they are matters of particular and not general impor¬ 
tance. At practice and in the match the captain is supreme. It 
is his duty, as soon as the team is formed, to ascertain the zero point 
of each rifle, and to classify guns and men into squads, so that each 
may assist the other. The practical part of this duty is very fully 
explained in Colonel Bodine’s article, which follows this, and to 
which I refer the reader, only observing that I think it is the safest 
plan in all cases to ascertain the zero points at 800, 900, and 1,000 
yards by actual practice, rather than to depend on calculation. All 
correspondence should be conducted by and through the captain, 
assisted, as hereinafter stated, by the adjutant, so as to avoid a 
division of responsibility. 

A great deal of difference of opinion exists on one point connected 
with the captain of a team, which is, Whether he should or should 
not he one of the shooting members of the team, and, consequently, 
what are the qualities most desirable in a captain, and which should 
dictate his selection. I am aware that, in what I say on this subject, 
I differ in opinion from many prominent riflemen, and I therefore 
g desire only to advance my own reasons for holding a contrary belief 
to theirs. 

It is generally held that a team captain should possess what is 
called “ executive ability,” that is, that he should have rapid decis¬ 
ion, habits of order, dignity of the kind that preserves discipline, 

„ and that he should further have sufficient literary and oratorical 
ability to enable him to conduct the official correspondence of the 
>team and to make suitable replies to the speeches that are sure to 
^ greet the captain of a team at those banquets and festivities which 
accompany an important match. It is further frequently held that, 
though the captain should be well acquainted with rifle practice, it is 
*by no means essential that he should be a first-class shot, and that 
< even if he be, he should not shoot with the team. 

My own opinion as to the selection of a captain is somewhat 


90 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


different from this. I hold that he should be, if possible, one of 
the best shots on the team, and should be selected especially on 
account of his experience and good judgment as a marksman. 
Intelligence, fairness, firmness, dignity, and order are necessary in a 
captain, but these qualities are very rarely lacking in the member of 
a team who is acknowledged to be its superior in skill, experience, and 
judgment. With these qualities to command respect, the training of 
a team is comparatively easy, for its members will look up to and 
willingly obey the best shot of their body at any time, unless he have 
such personal qualities of repulsion as neutralize his advantages. 
Riflemen, as a rule, are loth to take advice from outsiders, and a cap- 1 
tain who does not shoot is really an outsider. 

Nor can a captain who does not shoot with his team as readily pre¬ 
serve the necessary discipline; the men will not as willingly accept 
his suggestions and obey his orders. And by shooting with his 
team, the captain can better learn the characteristics of each man, and ; 
become more perfectly acquainted with their weak and strong points, 
for, by shooting himself, he finds, from his own knowledge, the 
obstacles and difficulties to be contended with, as they arise from 
time to time, and, from his knowledge of the men, knows how to 
get from them individually and collectively the greatest help toward 
success. 

If the sole deficiency of a given man for the office of captain is t 
that he cannot make a speech, it will be far better for him to imitate 
the judicious silence of General Grant, and delegate all the speech¬ 
making to his adjutant, or some other person. The main duty of a ^ 
captain, in my opinion, is to conduct his team to victory, to instruct 
the weaker ones, and bring them to the level of the best men. This 
he cannot do, unless he knows more than they, and there is no way 
to convince them of his practical superiority equal to that of out-.xj 
shooting them all. 

If the captain should be one of the very best marksmen in an 
association, he must necessarily shoot with the team, for the team^j 
cannot afford to undertake to win without the aid of the score he can ^ 
probably make. j 

Therefore I think that the best and most experienced shot (not 
lacking the necessary qualities of dignity, tact, and good humor), ^ 
should be captain, that he should shoot with the team, should fire 
the first shot at every range in the match, and should otherwise lead 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


91 


his men into action, so as to inspire them with confidence, and induce 
them to work cheerfully and well together. 

A man, to be a successful leader, should have a sound, intelligent 
reason for every step he takes in the management of affairs, and 
convince those under him that his conduct with respect to them is 
perfectly fair and impartial. 

THE ADJUTANT. 

With the captain, such as I have described him, the adjutant 
becomes an exceedingly important person. He is the secretary and 
aid of the captain, conducts the correspondence of the team under 
the direction of his chief and in his name, and finally is the custo¬ 
dian and classifier of all the records of practice, memoranda, and 
tables of zero points and elevations, and scores of matches. It is his 
‘ duty, during practice and matches, to attend to the scorers and spot- 
t ters, to see that all the instruments are in proper order and place, to 
attend to all social calls that may interfere with the close attention 
? of the team to its captain, the captain to his team. He should always 
be prepared to step into the gap with a speech, if the captain cannot 
do it; should see that the scorers have all particulars fully entered 
after each shot, and should be careful to have every score-book care¬ 
fully written up before night. The qualities he needs particularly 
„ are tact, suavity, address, and as much literary and social talent as 
will enable him to do credit to the team. 

In closing the account of the adjutant’s duties it seems the proper 
? place to refer to those parties, besides the captain, with whom he 
comes in contact during a match. 

First, there are the scorers. In the arduous practice of a team, 
preparing for or during a long range match, the men should never 
T.be required to keep their own scores, as their whole time should be 
^ occupied in watching the weather. There should be a scorer to each 
squad, who should keep all the score-books, the marksmen giving 
■vhim their elevation and wind gauge as they retire to reload after 
each shot. 

( Second are the “ spotters,” who should also be provided, one for 
each target. Their duties are clearly defined in Colonel Bodine’s 
^article. 

* Third, the referee and umpires. Each team elects an umpire at 
the beginning of each match, and these in turn elect a referee. Their 


RIFLES AND MARESMANSHlR. 


02 

duties are to decide on the value of disputed shots and other points 
that may arise during a match. No member of a team should hold 
direct communication with them, all such business going through 
the adjutant under the orders of the captain. This leaves all the 
worry of the match on the adjutant, who has nothing to do but 
attend to it, while the captain minds nothing but his team. 

THE RESERVES. 

Last, but not least, in the composition of a team, come the 
reserves. It was the practice in 1874 and 1875 to have a team of 
six with a reserve of four, but at present two men are considered as 
an ample reserve for a team of eight, as their services are rarely 
required. The sickness or accident of a member of the team may 
leave a vacancy which it is desirable to fill at any time, and therefore 
some reserve is essential. The men of the reserve, in practice, should ^ 
shoot at a separate target from those of the team squads, so as not j 
to make an inconvenient number, but if any circumstance keeps a 
member from practice, one of the team men should take his place, ^ 
as he would in the match, and the captain should be attentive to the 
shooting of both, so that if either develops any unexpected improve¬ 
ment, he may be substituted for the weakest member of the team, 
as soon as his scores justify the change. In general, the reserve men 
are those whose scores, in competition, have just failed to bring 
them on the team, wherefore, they are only acceptable in case of a 
decided breakdown in some member of the team proper. During a 
match, if the reserve men are not needed to shoot, they should be 
used as “ spotters ” at the telescopes. 

I have now given as careful an outline of the main features, sug¬ 
gested by my experience, attending the selection and management 
of a long range team, before the advent of a match, as the pressure 
of other labors would permit. It is hoped that this series of papers 
may, at least, be of some use in guiding associations and individuals ' 
to the adoption of plans that will bring satisfactory results. The 
articles of Colonels Bodine and Wingate, and the valuable con-"' 1 ' 
tribution on “Trajectory” by W. E. Metford, Esq., C. E., of 11 
England, will complete the series, and if it tends to promote the 
spread of rifle practice, and encourage the formation of long range Jj 
teams, for an annual match between all the States of the Union, it 
will have answered my most fervent wishes, and have accomplished 
more than I have a right to expect. ^ 




RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


93 


CHAPTER XI. 

PBAOTIOE. 

BY COL. J. BODINE. 

The successful achievements of the American teams in the late 
International matches have caused numerous inquiries from different 
parts of the country as to our team organizations, and the particular 
method employed in conducting the matches. 

The first International match atCreedmoor in 1874 was conducted 
on the part of the American team without any well-devised method, 
and each competitor depended mainly on his own judgment as 
regards elevations and deflection by wind. Our experience in tins 
match, and in subsequent practice for the match to be contested the 
next year in Ireland, suggested the necessity of a more thorough 
system of team practice, by which the united judgment and expe¬ 
rience of the team could be applied to each shot delivered in the 
progress of the match ; and although the preliminary steps of pro¬ 
curing uniformity in the sighting of the rifles had been neglected 
before leaving for Ireland, yet on our arrival there, and after two days’ 
practice, which served to develop the weak points of individual 
effort, we decided upon a system, which, I think, secured our success 
at Dollymount. This system was also used successfully in the 
Centennial match, but was partially deprived of its efficiency by a 
fault in our ammunition, which necessitated a series of experiments, 
continued by some members of the team up to within a few days of 
the match. 

As teams for important matches are composed of men of superior 
qualifications, it needs no demonstration to prove that any system 
which will utilize the combined experience and judgment of its 
members, must greatly increase its efficiency and eliminate many of 
the effects of chance or the imperfect knowledge of individuals. 

We will assume that the team has been chosen, the captain and 
adjutant elected, and that practice is about to commence. The first 
work to be done is to obtain the greatest possible uniformity in the 


94 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


sighting of the rifles. To do this it is necessary to select a calm, 
and, if possible, cloudy day. Then, at the range of one or two 
hundred yards, with front sights at zero, the front blocks are driven 
either to right or left, so that they will all deliver their shots exactly 
in same part of bull’s-eye. Uniformity in the rear sights at this 
range is not of so much consequence. 

After securing satisfactory results at short range, the team should 
proceed to 800 yards, and it will be found that if the rifles have been 
properly regulated at 200 yardg, there will be but a slight discrep¬ 
ancy in their performance at the longer distances. If necessary, this 
can then be corrected, after which a comparison of elevations must be 
made by each member of the team with all of the others, and a 
memorandum of the same kept for future reference. It is almost an 
impossibility to procure a corresponding elevation for different rifles, | 
for various reasons, such as quality of powder, hardening and size 
of bullet, method of loading shells, taking up recoil, etc. Fortu¬ 
nately, the differences of elevation are not of such great importance 
as the uniformity of front sights. 

It is most desirable that each member of a team, after its selection, 
should discard all changes of ammunition, methods of loading, or 
anything that savors of experiment. As it is fair to presume that, 
having been chosen on the team, his shooting has been satisfactory, 
it will be much to his interest, and to that of the team, to continue 
to use uniform ammunition, the results of which have become 
familiar. Any change in the ammunition or method of loading de- < 
ranges the records of the squad, as well as those of the individual. 
The next step is the formation of two squads from the eight men, 
and designation of the relative position of each member, placing the 
steadiest and most reliable man of each squad on the lead, as it wilU 
be his duty to commence the firing at each distance—a most respon¬ 
sible position, as this is done without sighting shots. It is, also, an 
advantage to squad such men together as use the same make of rifles,^ 
if practicable. 

After the above designation of squads and individuals, these 
should not be changed unless some important advantage is to be 
gained; but all subsequent practice should be carried out in strict 
conformity with what is intended in the coming match. 

The next thing necessary is such instruments and fixtures as may 
be needed to locate the shots on target, and display the same to the 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


95 


marksman and squad. For this purpose a good telescope, mounted 
on a tripod, and a small target about two feet in length, and of 
proportions and divisions corresponding with the target at the butts, 
should be provided for each squad. The telescope should be set 
up two paces in rear of firing point, and four paces in front of line 
of position of squad in loading, the glass to be occupied by a care¬ 
ful and competent “ spotter,’ with a score-keeper on his right, and 
the small target on his left, within reach of his hand, and in full 
view of the members of squad while loading. Adjoining the small 
target, which should be placed on a support about breast-high, should 
be a board 10 x 12 inches, on which is tacked a sheet of foolscap, 
ruled in four divisions, with the name of a member of the squad 
over each division, and a pencil attached for convenience. Four 
tacks, with heads on each, of the size of a ten cent piece, are also 
needed for indicating the shots on the small target after they have 
been determined by the disc of the marker, and correctly located by 
the spotter at glass. The heads of the tacks, or buttons, should be 
of different colors, as red, white, blue, and black. The members of 
the squad we will designate by A, B, C, and D. A chooses red, B 
chooses white, C blue, and D black, as the color of tack heads. 

We are now supposed to be ready to commence a day’s practice. 
The word is passed to commence firing. Each man, if he thinks it 
essential, fires a blank cartridge in the pit, and is ready for work. 
Each member of squad has consulted his record of practice, and, 
after a careful consideration of the conditions of the atmosphere, 
force and direction of the wind, light, etc., has set his sights in accord¬ 
ance with his judgment. Now comes a comparison of opinions 
between A, B, C, and D, the members of the squad, as to the neces¬ 
sary elevation and probable allowance for deflection by the wind. 
It will be found that the result of the conference will almost invari¬ 
ably put A on the target, even on a difficult day, and frequently he 
will lead off with a bull’s-eye. Immediately after firing, A will retire 
to the rear of small target; the shot will be marked on target at 
butts, say a centre, the spotter at glass will call out. “A, centre, 
four,” which will be repeated by score-keeper, and entered on score- 
card, when spotter will ascertain exact position of shot through the 
glass, and at once place the red button in the same place on small 
target. A will then register his elevation and allowance for wind in 
plain figures, under his name, on the paper beside the small target, 


96 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


and, if Ms “pull-off” has been good, will, without remark, retire 
to his position to prepare for his next shot. The small target in 
view of squad shows the exact position of A’s shot, and the record 
shows his elevation and allowance for wind. B, knowing the sight¬ 
ing of his gun in comparison with that of A, and seeing the position 
of A’s shot on the small target, say a low centre to the right, adjusts 
his sights to correct A’s shot, always making such allowance for any 
changes as may have occurred since A fired, and, stepping to firing 
point, inserts his cartridge and fires. The white disc responds to 
his shot, showing that A held true, and that B’s alteration of sights ' 
and holding were nearly perfect, his shot being in centre of “ bull.” 
B’s shot is located and called as before, and the spotter now takes 
the white button and sticks it on the small target in the exact posi¬ 
tion of B’s shot. B enters his elevation and allowance for wind, and 
returns to his place. C has now for his guidance two shots on small 
target and the records of sighting for each, and if there is no sudden 
and difficult change in conditions, must get a “ bull ” on his first 
shot. 

If there is a “ tricky ” wind, and C is not quite satisfied with his 
own judgment, he will consult with squad, or at least with B, who 
•preceded him, and their united judgment will generally secure a 
fair result. If, as is frequently the case, the elevations are changing, 
the shots will begin to show a tendency to fly high or low. C, hold¬ 
ing “square on, ” and having a good “pull off,” may get a high 
centre. This shot is spotted and scored, and position located ; as in ^ 
the previous cases, he registers his elevation and allowance for wind, 
and returns to his place. D has noticed that C’s shot is high 
although 0 assures him that he held true), and as a consequence, 
concludes that there may be a change in elevation; he changes his N 
sight slightly, so that in case C should have been deceived in his hold¬ 
ing, he may yet get a low bull; but after firing, although the “ white ” 
comes up, yet it is a high bull, showing the correctness of C’s aim, 
and confirming the change in elevation. There are now four buttons ^ 
on small target, and a record for each shot, each member of squad j 
has a good “send-off,” and his sighting, elevations, etc., have been] 
confirmed by the other members of squad. It now becomes A’s turn « 
again, and while preserving his individuality, he still profits by the 
opinions and performance of his companions, his confidence in him- 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP, 


97 


self being greatly increased by the knowledge that he is ably sup¬ 
ported. 

After A’s second shot his button is changed from its first position 
to mark the last shot, and the firing goes on until the score is fin¬ 
ished at this range. The shooting on second and third ranges is 
commenced and conducted as in the first. 

It will be noticed that, by this method, the match can be carried 
along quietly, and there will be no need of uselessly distracting the 
attention of members by questions and explanations. It is the 
experience of all riflemen, that it is quite enough occupation for 
the mind to keep a clear impression of the constantly changing 
conditions, as indicated by drift of smoke and change of flags, and 
that everything calculated to distract close attention from the marks¬ 
man’s own work will depreciate his score. It will frequently be 
found that, although the drift of smoke or flags may indicate no 
change of condition, yet the tendency of the bullets will be in some 
one direction away from the centre of bull’s-eye. When shooting 
under this system of organization, such a tendency can be discovered 
and checked at once, and a constant and successful effort will be 
possible to counteract such deflections. In opening the shooting at 
each of the ranges, if the first man gets on the “ iron,” the success 
of the rest is assured. In most cases I would advise as rapid firing 
1 as is consistent with due deliberation, and a proper and careful 
cleaning of the rifles, as this facilitates the following of your leader, 
allowing less time for changes of conditions. 

The above system for team practice should be strictly adhered to 
in all preliminary practice, and it will be well for each individual 
of the team to remember that it is more honorable to work for the 
success of his team, even if by doing so he may hold low rank in 
the score, than to strive solely for the highest place, which may be 
^associated with a reputation for churlishness and want of coopera¬ 
tion with his fellows. Complete records of each practice should be 
kept, and so compiled as to be easy of access on day of match. 

/ If the team has worked well together in its practice it will not be 
difficult for them, on the day of an important match, to divest 
,themselves of all nervousness, and settle down to their work as on 
ordinary practice days, paying no attention to outside excitement. 

* It is hardly necessary to mention that, on day of match, all nec¬ 
essary appointments should be provided for the team, and that, 
5 


98 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


while the match is progressing, all outside parties should be strictly 
excluded. Members of team should be in no way annoyed, or their 
attention distracted from the important business of the day. 

The minor details of matches will readily suggest themselves in * 
accordance with the wants of different ranges. 

Some of the foreign teams adopt the plan of a single “coach,” 
whose arbitrary dictation directs the shooting of each member, who ^ 
adjusts his sights as directed. This system may have its merits 
under some circumstances, but is subject to the objection that it i 
makes a mere automaton of each member, and subjects the team to J 
the judgment of one man, while it is probable that many, if not all i 
of them, are equally expert in all that is essential to success. j 





RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


99 


CHAPTER XII. 


HOW TO MANAGE A LONG RANGE RIFLE MATCH. 


BY COL. GEORGE W. WINGATE. 


At the request of The Spirit of the Times, but with some 
’ reluctance caused by inability to devote the time necessary to do the 
j subject full justice, the writer has undertaken the task of offering to 
those interested in rifle shooting, such suggestions in relation to the 
> management of a Long Range Rifle Match, as his experience in con¬ 
nection with the various International contests of that description 
has led him to consider judicious, with the view of supplementing 
^ the articles of Colonels Gildersleeve and Bodine, which have already 
appeared in The Spirit. These are at once so practical and valuable 
to all riflemen, that he doubts if anything that he can say on the 
subject will add to their value. Still, in view of the many contests 
between the different rifle associations and clubs that are taking 
* place, and may hereafter be expected, a statement of the way 
% in which such things are managed at Creedmoor may perhaps help 
to smooth the path of some range committee or executive officer, and 
'' they are therefore offered for what they are worth. 

In managing an important rifle match, every detail should be care- 
} fully considered beforehand, and provided for. The transportation, 
^accommodation, and management of the large crowd that always 
^attend such an affair, in themselves require careful consideration. 
w When to this is added the running of the match itself, the problem 
^ becomes quite complicated, and demands considerable executive 
’’ ability. 

f.j The general arrangements^'for the match should, in the first 
i instance, be placed in the hands of a small committee. A large one 
} divides the responsibility, and works poorly. Out of this, sub-com- 
7 mittees of one or two should be appointed to look after and conduct 
* the various details and arrangements, such as tickets (including the 
railroad service), refreshments, reserved seats, receptions, etc., etc. 



100 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


Their general duties are those which are incident to all large gather¬ 
ings, and need no special mention. These sub-committees report to 
the main committee, f ;which should meet weekly, so that all may , 
know what is going on, and clashing between sub-committees 
avoided. 

The control of the range during the match should be placed in 
the hands of an “executive officer.” It is his province to see that s 
the grounds are in proper condition, and all necessary appliances 
are on hand when wanted, and that the crowd of spectators is kept 
in order, and properly managed. He should be a cool, clear-headed { 
man, who cannot be flustered or worried. Above all things, he ( 
should be a man of even temper and firmness. The executive officer 
should select a range officer, who is specially charged with the super¬ 
vision of the match itself, and whose sphere of action is inside the \i 
ropes. Where there are several matches in progress at the same time, j 
or the number of targets is too great for one man to look after, a 
number of range officers are generally appointed, but one is all that* 
is required for a single match. The range officer needs some means 
of getting rapidly over the ground. 

When he is a skillful rider, he will find this can be best accom¬ 
plished by having a swift, sure-footed horse, who will stand fire, at 
his command. At the same time, unless accustomed to the saddle, 
he will find it extremely wearisome, particularly when the meeting ^ 
extends over two or three days. Where the ground will permit, a buggy 1 
may be used, and will be found by many more comfortable than a 
saddle horse. It possesses the advantage of permitting the executive^ 
officer to carry from place to place such articles as may be needed. 
On the other hand, it does not give him the same mobility of action 
as a saddle horse, and I therefore prefer the latter. The executive 
and range officers, and in fact all the officials connected with th|^ 
range during a match, if military men, should wear their uniform. * 
It makes them conspicuous and adds to their authority. If not*,, 
military men, they should wear conspicuous badges inscribed withS 
the title of their office. j 

Long range matches are almost universally shot at 800, 900, and! 
1,000 yards. If there were any way by which the targets could be* 
moved back, the difficulties in the way of managing such matches^ 
would be very greatly diminished. No such method, however, has 
as yet been devised, consequently, as each distance is completed, th &<4 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


101 


r 

squads, with their paraphernalia, must be moved back a hundred 
^yards, and the lines reestablished. The teams will, therefore, be 
J assembled, in the first instance, at the 800-yard firing points. Each 
^ team (eight men), divided into two squads, is placed at two adjoin¬ 
ing firing points, which are generally thirty feet apart. To prevent 
firing on the wrong target, an interval of sixty feet, or more, should 
^be left, whenever practicable, between the targets used by the 
j, different teams. 

q For the further puipose of preventing firing upon the wrong 

> target as well as to enable the spectators to understand what has 
been done, each target should be conspicuously marked. For the 
shorter range, numbers painted upon large boards will do. For the 
long ranges, Roman figures, and such designs as a star, triangle, 
circle, etc., made out of fence rails, whitewashed and laid on the 

. embankment above the targets should be used. 

\ In selecting these care must be used to make them as dissimilar 
as possible, particularly at the bottom. In looking through an 
aperture sight a T is easily mistaken for an I, and the difference 
between II and III is not sufficient to prevent mistakes. To pre¬ 
vent any delay from an accident to a target an extra one should be 
kept in reserve. To prevent its being fired on by mistake, its bull’s- 
<?ye should be painted out. 

The association upon whose range the match takes place provides 
ja score-keeper at each firing point, and a marker at each target. To 
jinsure accuracy and fairness each team captain also designates a 
man to each firing point, to tally the score, as well as one to each 
target, to see that no mistake is made by the marker. 

Usually each team captain also names a referee, and the two select 
*>111 umpire, and any dispute arising during the progress of the match 
is referred to these three for their decision. This is not particularly 

> objectionable in regard to matters arising at the firing points, but 
J ia decidedly so in relation to disputed hits. In the International 

matches of the year 1876, a number of such disputes arose. The 
range officer was thereupon compelled to “ride down ” ( i . e., gallop) 
to the targets (800 to 1,000 yards off) as fast as his horse could go, 
^>ver ground which placed his horse’s legs and his own neck in dire 
eopardy. If hisjlecision was not acquiesced in, as in three or four 
leases it was not, then the referees and umpire have to go down, the 
Jresult being the loss of twenty minutes’ valuable time. This is all, 



102 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


wrong. Either the decision of the range officer should be final, or 
else an umpire, agreed on by the team captains, should be placed in 
the butts, who should decide all such questions. This latter plan 
will be found to save much time, by avoiding the necessity of the 
range officer going down at all, and thus prevent the competitors’ 
scores being injured by their rifles getting cold, or their losing the 
“run” of the wind. It was adopted in the match of 1877 (which 
took place after this article was originally prepared), and was found 
a great improvement. 

It may be here stated that the rule in marking is that the outside 
line of the centre and inner is the boundary, and that “ a touch is 
a hit.” Ashot which strikes an iron target makes two marks, one 
the size of the bullet itself, and the other an irregular “ splash,” 
sometimes several inches across. The former is a circle, generally 
defined by the particles of lead adhering to the target, and is alone < 
considered in determining what is a hit. The true way to determine < 
a doubtful shot is to trace, with the compasses used in laying out the 
divisions upon the targets, the exact line of the portion claimed to be 
hit. Then, to place the portion of a bullet which remains after it 
has struck the target, upon the shot mark. If the edges of this 
touch the line, it is a hit. If there is a reasonable doubt, the shooter 
should be given the benefit of it. 

No match of any importance should take place without a tele¬ 
phone communicating between the target butts and the firing points. ( 
The wires belonging to this must be so arranged that they will not ; 
be interfered with by the crowd that throng around the firing points 
during the match. This may be done by laying them under ground,, 
or elevating them on poles. In the latter case they should be raised 
sufficiently to permit wagons, etc., to pass under them. ^ 

The watchers, spotters, etc., should report to the executive officer 
half an hour before the match, and should be assigned to their l 
respective targets and firing points. The former should then proceed * 
to the butts without delay so as to be in their positions at the proper 
time. On arriving they should inspect the targets, etc., and see that 
everything is in proper order. 

At the hour named in the match the teams should be in their^ 
places with their “spotters,” and coaches, with their telescopes^ 
arranged to suit themselves. All their assistants should be furnished . 
with badges to pass them through the ropes, and no one but those 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


10B 


thus officially recognized should be allowed to go near them. Each 
» official scorer should have a telescope or an opera-glass, the former, 
if practicable. They should be placed so as not to interfere with the 
team or their assistants, and should shift their positions if required by 
the captains of the teams, provided they can always see what is going 
on. At Creedmoor, in a long range match, each squad is provided 
with a small awning to protect them from the sun, which, upon a 
,.hot day is a great convenience.* 

r The following sketch gives an idea of how the grounds should 
be laid off: 










104 


RlELES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


A rope (d d) is drawn behind the firing point, and not less than 
50 feet in their rear, within which no person not connected with the 
firing (except reporters) should be allowed. This rule must be rigidly 
enforced. If any infractions are permitted even in the case of officers 
of the association, this space (which is indispensable to secure order 
and a proper handling of the match) will be thronged. At Creed- 
moor even the Directors of the National Rifle Association make it a 
rule to keep out of it, for the sake of example. At 20 feet behind 
this rope, another (e e) may be drawn, and the intermediate space 
filled with chairs, forming reserved seats. 

These ropes should extend 100 feet behind the flanks of the teams, 
and then be extended outward at an angle of about 45 degrees. The 
inside rope should extend from 100 to 150 yards to the front. The 
second may join it about 150 feet from the corner, depending on the 
number to be accommodated within the space enclosed by it. The 
stakes to which these ropes are attached should be placed in holes 
previously driven in the ground, so that no time will be lost in mov¬ 
ing back. Policemen should be placed along each rope. A cannon 
should be placed on one flank half-way between the firing points and 
the targets. 

Benches or chairs should be placed in rear of the rope e e for the 
use of the spectators. Large wagons containing rows of benches 
are very popular, and at 50 cents a seat bring in quite a revenue to 
the owners. 

The refreshment stands should be placed some distance upon the 
flanks and rear. They should be far enough away so that the bustle 
which always exists around them will not disturb the shooting. 

No little executive ability is required to manage this matter of 
refreshments. The majority of caterers seem to imagine that plenty 
of pie and lager beer is all that is required by an American crowd. 
During the match the public are too much interested to leave their 
places. At the intermission for lunch everybody rushes for the 
refreshment tent, and a scene of confusion ensues in which few are 
waited upon, and into which ladies and children dare not penetrate. 
Small tables spread upon the grass outside, with waiters circulating 
with trays of nice sandwiches, grapes, ice-cream, water, etc., would 
avoid all this, and enable the caterer to sell twice as much as he 
otherwise would. 

Arrangements should also be made during a hot day to hand 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


105 


something of the kind around among the ladies and others occupying 
the reserved seats. 

A ladies’ tent should be placed near the entrance. This should be 
in charge of a female servant. A space 50 feet round it should be 
fenced oft with a rope, and a policeman directed to keep an eye that 
no boys or roughs go inside of it. 

The range officer having seen that the targets are in proper order, 
and the markers and scorers in position, will cause the first gun to 
be fired, as a preliminary signal, fifteen minutes before the prescribed 
hour, followed at the exact hour by a second. He should require 
the different teams to bring out their men promptly at the second 
gun, and have them shoot at once, without hanging back to watch 
their adversaries. He should also, at all times, check anything that 
looks like unnecessary delay on the part of any of the squads. If 
a dispute arises at the targets, it. should be decided by the umpire 
in the butts. If anything is required from the firing point to the 
targets, or vice versa , the telephone should be used. If there be no 
telephone, or if anything is wrong, the range officer may be signalled 
by displaying two danger signals, side by side. He should then 
ride down and settle the matter. A question arising at the firing 
points should be promptly settled by the referees and the umpire, 
or, if they have not been appointed, by the range officer. 

Careful attention should be given to elaborating such a system of 
signalling and bulletining the shots as will at all times inform the 
spectators of the exact condition of the match. This is essential to 
maintain interest in the shooting, and unless something of the kind 
is provided a long-range match is but a dull spectacle. 

A good plan for this purpose is to provide a number of bulletin 
boards (c c) 8x6 ft., set upon posts, so as to be 8 ft. from the 
ground. The latter are inserted in sockets, placed midway between 
the firing points and the first i ope, so they can be easily lifted out, 
a set being sunk for each distance. These should be arranged so 
that they will be visible to the spectators, but not to the shooters, 
who should not know how the contest is going on, for fear of spoiling 
their scores. These should be placed in the rear of each team, and 
also on the flanks, so as to be s een by as many people as possible. 
They should be divided as follows : 


106 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


American Team , 800 Yards. 


Shots. 

1 

O 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

To’l 

Jewel. 

















Dakin. 

















Weber. 

















Allen_ 

















Hyde. 

















Bruce . 

















Jackson. 




- 













Blydenburgh.... 

















Total. 

















Previous total... 

















Aggregate.. 















English Team... 






1 










A bulletin man should be placed at each board with a step-ladder. < 
He should post each shot in large figures, and add up each column 
as soon as completed. A messenger should be attached to each 
squad to report the shots to the bulletin-men. This can be done by * 
his holding up, at each shot, the number of the shooter, and a disc 
showing the value of his shot. All the bulletins should be placed 
in charge of a single person, who should cause each round of shots 
to be taken from the scorers’ cards, and sent around to each board, * 
to ensure accuracy. By this plan, every bulletin board will show 
exactly how the match stands at each round of shots. 

An ingenious device was introduced at Creedmoor at the Interna- 1 
tional match of 1877. It consisted of an upright frame—like a 
picture frame—supported by a post. Four boards, each having on 
it the name of one member of the squad in front of it, and provided 
with a hook on the bottom, were hung in such a way as to be suc¬ 
cessively presented by turning a handle. When a member of the 
squad lay down to shoot, the handle was turned so as to bring his 
name in sight. When his shot was signalled, a disc of the proper 































































RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


107 


color, and haying the value of the shot marked in the centre (as 
white with a 5 in the middle, for a bull’s-eye), was hung upon the 
hook, the scorer at the same time calling out in a loud voice the 
name and the score, as Bruce , Five. 

By this method, the bulletin men in the rear of the targets were 
enabled to post each shot at once, any mistakes being corrected by 
the messengers sent around with the transcripts of the scores. 

To shoot “a distance” (15 shots by four men, 60 shots) takes 
about an hour and a-half. If the match, therefore, commences at 
10 a. m., the 800 yards will be finished at 11.30. A gun should then 
be fired to signal the cessation of the firing, and to permit the mark¬ 
ers to come out and touch up their targets if required, and the 
watchers to get a breath of fresh air. 

The hardest work of the day then commences in getting the crowd 
to fall back to the 900-yard firing points, although it will be found 
to be easier than to move them the last time ( i . e., to the 1,000 yards), 
but still it will be no easy task. At Dollymount the police arrange¬ 
ments were almost a failure, and, for a long time, it seemed as if the 
match would have to be stopped from inability to clear the ground. 
At Creedmoor, through the kindness of the police authorities of New 
York and Brooklyn, the National Rifle Association have been aided 
by a most efficient police force, who handle a crowd in far different 
style from the Dollymount officials, perhaps because they have a 
less fractious population to deal with. 

At the same time the physical difficulty of moving a large crowd 
any distance with the speed that is required, upon an occasion like 
this, is so great as to make the duties of the police very laborious. 
In the last two years the experiment has been tried of using cavalry 
with great success. A good horse soon understands what is required 
of him, and will wheel and turn at the touch of the rider’s heel and 
rein, and carry the crowd before him without injuring any one. 
Most people are afraid of horses, and, when they see one coming, 
will fall back of themselves, while they would stand inert before an 
officer in a most aggravating manner. For a large match, at least 
six mounted men can be used to advantage, and their services should 
be secured whenever practicable. Where the spectators are seated 
upon chairs which they themselves can carry, it would save much 
trouble if those occupying the chairs inside the second rope would 
keep their positions until those in the outside have retired to the 900- 


108 


RIFLES AND MARKSMAN SHIP. 


yard firing points, and the rope has been again erected in the rear of 
it. The former should then be directed to take their chairs and 
assume a position inside such rope corresponding to that occupied by 
them at 800 yards, their movements being directed by the executive 
officer. In case this is not done, teams must be provided to carry 
back the seats, and place them in position. At least ten to fifteen 
men and two or three wagons will be required to attend to this mat¬ 
ter properly. When the spectators have taken their places, the teams 
should follow them with their traps, the bulletin boards, etc., be 
carried back and erected, and everything put as it was at the former 
distance. This will take from half to three-quarters of an hour, if 
proper executive ability is shown, and the crowd are as reasonable as 
an American crowd usually are. When the range officer sees that 
the arrangements are nearly completed, he will cause a warning gun 
to be fired, when the scorers will return to the butts, and withdraw 
their danger signals. When everything is ready, both at the butts 
and at the firing points (which should be required to be done in fif¬ 
teen minutes), a second gun will be fired as a signal to commence, 
and all the squads should be required to begin at once. 

The intermission for lunch may be taken after concluding either 
the first or second range, as may be thought most desirable, depend¬ 
ing upon what time the match commences. Arrangements should 
be made by which the various teams can go directly to their tents 
for lunch, and be kept free from annoyance and interruption. An 
hour will be ample to allow for lunch and moving back. Any 
attempt at an elaborate lunch is a mistake, at least so far as the teams 
and the officers of the range are concerned. It will be apt to affect 
the shooting of the former (as was the case in the match of 1874), 
and will interfere with the performance of their duties by the latter. 

The shooting at 1,000 yards will be managed in the same manner. 
By that time the executive officers, and police will have their hands 
full, as the excitement is greater, the crowd larger, and more diffi¬ 
cult to handle. Every imaginable expedient will be resorted to by 
the enterprising to gain admittance to the favored space within the 
ropes, and the excuses and reasons given for special favors will range 
from “the sublime to the ridiculous.” The officers in charge must 
ignore all such appeals, and, as the match draws to a close, redouble 
their vigilance to see that the ropes are not passed by the excited 
crowd, and that the competitors are allowed to fire their last shots 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


109 


(often the most important of the match) without interruption. They 
should never forget that, if they neglect this, the crowd will edge in 
and edge in on the flanks, and finally sweep over the whole party, 
thowing them into almost inextricable confusion. 

When the match is finished, the tickets are taken to the statistical 
officer, who adds up the figures, and announces the official scores. 
This, however, is a work of supererogation, as everybody has the 
figures long before they reach him. It is customary, therefore, for 
the President of the Association or executive officer, without waiting 
for the figures, to announce to the audience the result of the match, 
and, if his own team has won, to propose three cheers for their 
opponents. If there is any champagne on the premises it is then 
supposed to be in order, and those who imagine that riflemen all wear 
the blue ribbon are apt to be deceived. 

This paper has already grown far beyond the limits originally 
proposed, and must not be extended further. It necessarily describes 
mainly the arrangements in use at Creedmoor, some of which may 
prove unsuitable for other ranges, and many of which can doubtless 
be improved. It is hoped, however, that the suggestions contained 
in it may prove acceptable to some of our growing rifle associations, 
and aid them in attracting public interest to their matches. 


110 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

TRAJECTORY OF THE MODERN MATCH RIFLE. 

BY W. E. METFORD, C. E. 

In treating of this very interesting branch of gunnery the writer 
will not refer to any older views based on the spherical bullet, for 
air resistance with such a bullet is so heavy that, practically, long 
range was ever out of the question. 

When the use of a solid bolt in the place of a short conoidal bul¬ 
let, and of about 2£ diameters, was introduced, gunners began to get 
to ranges which naturally brought the question of trajectory promi¬ 
nently forward. Since then Sir Joseph Whitworth increased the 
length of the rifle bullet to nearly its present amount, and it appears 
that gunners have now arrived to a final proportion of diameter to 
length of about 1 to 3, with a weight of from 540 to 550 grains. 
With this proportion of bullet all the modern shooting is being per¬ 
formed, and it is with the trajectory ©f this bullet, therefore, that 
the writer will deal. 

Before, however, entering into the trajectory of the present bullet 
it may be as well to point out that, even with such trajectories as 
given by the old English Enfield musket, there was none of that 
very rapid sharpening of the curve of the trajectory which it has 
been the fashion of writers to portray in their books; for instance, 
the Enfield, when loaded with the cartridges best adapted to it, had 
its culminating point but just 50 yards beyond the half-way for the 
1,000 yards, and the slopes of its falling into the target were, for the 
longer ranges, with the very best fresh cartridges, as follows: 


600 yds, 1 foot in about 

27 feet. 

700 “ 1 

a 

201 “ 

800 “ 1 

u 

16i “ 

900 “ 1 

u 

13i “ 

1,000 “ 1 

u 

11 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


Ill 


And its angles were, with such cartridges, as follows: 


100 yds, about. 

200 “ . 


300 

<( 


400 

u 

. 1° O' 2" 

500 

4 4 

. 1° 19' 2" 

600 

4 4 

. 1° 40' 3" 

700 

4 4 


800 

4 4 

. 2° 29' 0” 

900 

44 

. 2° 57' 2" 

1,000 

4 4 



and this trajectory was produced with a bluff, short wood, plugged 
bullet of 530 grains and 70 grains of powder, and having a com¬ 
puted initial speed of about 1,160 feet per second. 

The match rifle, which the writer takes to be the fullest expression 
of a first-rate modern long range small-arm, when charged with 90 
grains of the English powder of Curtis & Harvey’s Ho. 5 or Ho. 6*, 
will drive a 540 grain bullet at the rate of about 1,400 feet per sec¬ 
ond out of its muzzle. 

In treating of trajectory it would appear to be the best way, first, 
to point out that, if there existed no air, the bullet, fired at any 
given angle from the horizontal, would fall into the target at its 
initial or muzzle speed, f and the angle of the inclination of the fall 
in of the bullet on the target would be precisely equal to that of the 
inclination of the bullet’s path in its issue from the rifle’s muzzle; 
and, secondly, to point out that the curve of the bullet’s path would 
be a parabola, of which the apex would be the half-way point. How, 
when the curve happens to be a very short piece of a very flat para¬ 
bola, it may be held to be, for all practical purposes, equal to a short 
piece of a very large circle; X and, again, for curves where the height 
of the trajectory bears a small proportion to the length of the arc, it 
may be taken as sufficiently correct, that the distance around the arc 


* With the Hazard powder about 106 grains are required to attain this speed, 
t In the ascent to its culminating point the bullet would lose speed, hut this loss 
would be exactly balanced by the gain in the descent from this highest point of the 
trajectory. In cases such as the modern rifle’s bullets give, this loss and gain may 
be, for the ranges in use, safely ignored. The writer will, throughout this article, 
assume the 1,000 yards to be a true plane. 

4 In all that concerns the curves here treated of, they would coincide within some 
fractions of an inch. 













112 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


is equal to the length of the straight or eye line. For instance, the 
difference, as computed, is about a foot, with the flat curves of the 
modern rifles, for the 1,000 yards range. 

If the above positions be granted, then, where there is no air exist¬ 
ing, we may use the problem of Euclid III., XX, which indirectly 
proves that equal portions of a circular curve will give angles equal 
to each other from any position on the curve itself. For example, to 
put the point into a practical form, let a man, on a piece of level 
ground, put up a theodolite (an instrument many readers will know 
is for setting off, and also for taking, angles) exactly over a peg, 
and, having set out, with the aid of assistants, a truly straight line 
for 1,000 yards, at each 100 yards let him drive in a peg truly in 
the line. Let him then set off from this line any given angle, such 
as, say, 8^', by the aid of the instrument, and get his assistants to 
measure out 100 yards alongside the straight line already laid out, 
let a pole be ranged by the aid of the cross wires in the telescope of 
the theodolite at this 100 yards and left there (this would be a posi¬ 
tion about nine inches from the first peg on the straight line already 
set out), let the same thing be done again, that is, another 8-J' or in 
toto 17' of angle be set off, and another 100 yards measured and 
poled (this would be a position of 35£ inches from the second peg 
on the straight line), and so proceed, adding the 8$' each time to the 
angle and putting up a pole, and so on to 1,000 yards. The oper¬ 
ator would then have set out a truly circular curve together with its 
tangent. 

He would also find, if he measured from the last pole on this 
curve in a straight line back to the theodolite, in fact on the chord 
of the arc, that the distance would be 999f- yards, that is, if the 
measurements were made throughout with such an unstretchable 
thing as a steel tape, and all very carefully indeed; and he would 
also have the natural curve that a match rifle bullet would make, if 
the curve could be put in a horizontal position, and if the bullet had 
been projected into a vacuum. If this is the case then the actual 
difference of angle between this and the actual curve is due to the 
air resistance retarding the speed of the bullet, and thus giving more 
time for gravity to act, and so coercing the bullet into making not 
only a coarser curve, but a curve rapidly altering its pitch. For 
instance, the writer finds, as already stated, that where the speed is 
1,400 feet per second, and where about 8-J' of angle would in vacuo 




> 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


113 


be the angle of elevation for 100 yards, and 8^'xlO' would be the 
4 angle for 1,000 yards, the radius of such a curve would be 20,222 
i yards, or 11 £ miles, whereas, as matters stand, the radius of any 
part of the actual curve would be: 

At 50 yds. (or the mean between 0 yds. and 100 yds.) 


> about. 18,600 yds. 

At 150 16,000 “ 

1 At 250 14,040 “ 

/At 350 . 12,510 “ 

At 450 11,270 “ 

At 550 10,260 “ 

At 650 9,420 “ 

r > At 750 8,700 “ 

At 850 8,090 “ 

" At 950 7,560 “ 

/ At 1,050 7,090 “ 


Now, all this is to be easily computed from the actual angles as 
ascertained—first by much shooting in good weather, and secondly, 
by computing a table of angles which will fit fairly accurately the 
.-> mean of such shooting, of which more further on. 

The sights of the writer’s rifles have ever been divided in terms of 
' the great circle—that is, instead of putting on an arbitrary scale, 

* where the angular value in rise, usually the hundredth of an inch, 
varied as the distance between the sights varied, a scale was put on 
of such a character that, whatever the distance between the sights 
might happen to be, the dividing of the scale should be such that, 

f first, it should invariably give but one angular value, and, secondly, 
it should be that same angular value which has been universally 

* recognized as the standard for all angle-taking instruments: thus 
/ the rifleman would be, in conversing about his sights, speaking a 

language universally accepted by scientific men. 

Such a system involved, of course, giving up a simple value per 
inch, as, for example, the one-hundredth of an inch, or one inch, and 
u also involved cutting the scales in a definite relation to the distance 
between the two sights, or what is called the radius. The reader 

* will now perceive that his sights are in fact neither more nor less 
than a piece of an extremely large theodolite or angle-taking instru- 













114 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


ment,* and that he therefore is able to ascertain with it the actual 
angles of the projecting instrument to which it is attached—that is, 
the barrel. 

It has been the custom for gunners to ascertain their trajectories by 
erecting screens, covered with tissue paper, at intervals along the 
track of the bullet. This method, available without much trouble 
for short-ranges, becomes difficult with the larger ranges. It is open 
to objection, too, that the bullet in passing through any substance, 
however thin, not only receives a check, but also is liable to the pos¬ 
sibility of deflection. The first objection is the most important, and 
the time alone it takes makes it objectionable. 

But why should any such trouble be thought necessary when, with 
the modern sights, actually a perfect bit of a very large theodolite, 
the entire path of the bullet can be calculated with the most perfect 
certainty and rapidity. Or, if a gunner dislikes figures, he may, as 
has been already pointed out, lay the entire curve out on a flat 
meadow, either with a good theodolite, or even with the rifle sights 
themselves, with the rifle laid horizontally and rigidly fixed. He 
may do exactly as the writer has already portrayed, except that, 
instead of setting off 8£', he sets off the table at angles of his rifle. 
He will thus have his trajectory laid flat on the turf. He can ascer¬ 
tain the trajectory by actual measurement, for any range and at any 
part of the range. He can, if he has not 1,000 yards of turf at hand, 
do it to, say, a half, third, or quarter scale, or even a tenth or twelfth 
scale, if only 100 yards are available, and multiply his values by 
twice, three, four, ten, or twelve times, as may be, to procure actual 
values; and with regard to say a twelfth scale, there is the conve¬ 
nience that the operator could lay out the entire curve in less than 
100 yards, and with his offset rod divided to inches and twelfths, he 
would be able, without much walking, to ascertain his values at 
once, substituting feet for inches. 

If, however, a gunner desires to ascertain his trajectory heights by 
computation, and of course this is the most accurate and quickest 
method, for he will escape the chance of errors in setting the lines 

* The circles of all angle-taking instruments, as is well known, are divided into 
360 degrees, and each degree into 60 minutes, which would give 21,600 minutes for 
the whole circle. The value is given in minutes, as, for small angles, it is sometimes 
preferred to have their values stated in minutes, instead of degrees and minutes. 
For instance, the 1,000 yard angle can be expressed in degrees and minutes—thus, 
2° 15', or in minutes alone, 135'. 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


115 


out (a process requiring care and skill), lie will proceed thus: Let it 
be supposed that the rifleman desires to ascertain the path the bullet 
makes for 1,000 yards. The zero of the scale of his rear sights, 
divided to degrees and minutes of the great circle, has been ascer¬ 
tained to be correct, by shooting at, say, 12 yards,* * with the Vernier 
t at zero, and seeing that the bullet centre is just as much below the 
centre of the small dot he shoots at, as the eye line is above the 
axis of bore, plus the one-eiglith of an inch, which must be added 
S for gravity pull acting during the time the bullet is traveling the 12 
yards. Let his rifle, under this condition, be assumed to give the 
following angles : 


ICO yards. 
200 “ . 
300 “ . 

400 “ . 

500 “ . 

600 “ . 
700 “ . 

800 “ . 
900 “ . 

1,000 “ . 


9' 

19' 

80 ' 

42' 

55' 

09' or 
> 24 ' “ 
40' “ 
57' “ 

’ 15' “ 


9' 

19' 

30' 

42' 

55' 

69' 

84' 

100 ' 

117' 

135' 


Now, when shooting at 1,000 yards, the bore of the rifle, at the 
instant the bullet is passing the muzzle, will have to point at an 
angle of 2° 15' (some persons prefer to omit the use of degrees, and 
record the angles in minutes only), or 135' above the centre of the 
bull’s-eye. 

This is the first position. Now, let a case be assumed. Say it is 
f required to compute the heights of the trajectory for every hundred 
yards along the whole range to 1,000 yards, beginning at the position 
of the first 100 yards. On examining the table it is clear that the 
f bullet (neglecting the little difference already referred to, caused by 
the eye line and the bore line not being quite coincident),! had there 
been no gravity pull, would have kept along the 135' line, but 
gravity has had time to pull the bullet down 9' by the time it has 


* Twelve yards is a convenient distance, for reasons stated further on. 

* t To be very accurate, to these angles should be added the angular value, which 
" the fact of the eye line being above the bore line, demands. This would give for 
100yards 9 + about 1', for 200 yards, 19' + J4', and for 300 yards 30 + >£', and so on. 













116 


RIFLES AlOI MARKSMANSHIP. 


got to the first 100 yards, therefore the bullet would actually pass 
below the 135' line, this 9', or 126' above the eye line. And because 
at 100 yards V equals 0.0873 of one foot,* therefore 0.0873x126 ft., 
which equals 10.99 ft., is the height the bullet passes at 100 yards 
above the eye line. 

To repeat the process, substituting the different distances along 
the ranges for the 100 yards: 


yds. ft. times, ft. 

200. 135'— 19' x 0.0873 x 2 20.2 

800. 135'— 30'x 0.0873 x 3=28.1 

400. 135'— 42'x 0.0873 x 4=32.4 

500. 135'— 55'x 0.0873 x 5=34.9 

600. 135'— 69' x 0.0873 x 6=34.5 

700. 135'— 84'x 0.0873 x 7=31.1 

800. 135'—100'x 0.0873 x 8=24.4 

900.. . 135'—117'x 0.0873 x 9=14.1 

1,000.!.135'—135'x 0.0873x10= 0.0 


Here the last column will represent the exact heights of the curve 
at every hundred yards along the range from the line of sights or eye 
line.f 


* Should the computer prefer the values to he in inches, he would have to substi¬ 
tute 1.0472 in. for 0.0873 ft., for the value of 1'of angle at 100 yards. It has been 
already stated there are 21,600'in the circle; the value of 1.0472 in., or 0.0873 ft. is, 
therefore, computed as follows: What is the value of 1' of angle at 100 yards in 
actual measurement ? There are 21,600' in the circle, and the radius is 100 yards ; 
all, therefore, that has to be done is to find the feet measurement of the circumfer¬ 
ence of this circle, and divide by 21,600. The ratio of circle and radius being 6.2832, 
these last figures of the ratio must be multiplied by 100. This equals 628.32 yards or 
1884.06 ft., and is the length of the circle round ; and 1884.96 -f 21600'=0.08726 ft. per 
1', etc., and if inches are preferred, then these last figures multiplied by 12 will give 
the value of l' of angle, or in inches 1.0472 nearly. Call it, when feet are required, 
0.0873, and when inches are required, 1.047. Of course, unless great accuracy is re¬ 
quired, 0.087 and 1.05 will give close results. 

For rough computation, 1 in. for 1' at 100 yards will be sufficiently near to give 
results. To be accurate, 1 in. equals 1' at 95.49 yards. The same values can be com¬ 
puted with a table of sines, and here it is as well to bring to the recollection of those 
who are conversant with such tables that, for small arcs, say to 4°, it may be reckoned 
with perfect safety that the arcs can be practically taken as equal to either the chord, 
sine, or tangent. 

+ It will be easily understood that if it be desired to compute the heights for any 
other trajectory, as, say, for 600 yards, all that is necessary will be to substitute for 
135' the 600 yards angle of 69'. 












RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


117 


Again, let it be required to find the highest point in the curve. 

By inspecting the last column, it will be seen at once that this 
point must be somewhere between 500 and 600 yards, and probably 
between 500 and 550 yards. It shall be assumed that 540 yards will 
be the place. Now, the angle for 540 yards must be computed. At 
500 yards it is 55', and at 600 yards it is 69', or a difference of 14'. 
It is not strictly correct to divide proportionately by the distance, 
but as it only involves an error of one-eighth of a minute abthe half¬ 
way, it may be done without fear. If this be done, the angle at 540 
yards will be 60' 6'', say 60' 5", which is really more correct. Thus, 
for 540 yards, 135'—60' 5"xthe 0.0873 x 5.4 times=35.073^feet. The 
question now comes, is this the highest point; if not, which side of 
540 yards is it ? The thing, therefore, will be to try one side of 540. 
Let 535 yards be taken. For this distance 59' 9'' will be the angle. 
Then for 535 yards it will be 135'—59' 9" x 0.0873 x 5.35 times 
=35.0758 feet. 

Clearly this is a very small trifle higher than 35.073 feet, and thus 
the point is between 535 yards and 540 yards, and probably near 
enough for general purposes.* If it should be desired to determine 
it closer, each yard could be computed—actually the place is between 
535 and 536 yards—thus the entire trajectory values, yard by yard, 
if necessary, can be computed from the sight elevations with an 
accuracy and a certainty far surpassing screen experiments, which are 
subject to the variations of each shot, as well as to the drawbacks 
already mentioned, and also with a freedom from the errors which 
will arise even with experienced users of the theodolite. The latter 
plan, it is true, places the whole affair, especially if it be done on a 
tenth, or some such scale, as it were before the eyes, at one single 
grasp; but, excepting this, calculation is by far the better plan 
where very accurate values are required.! 


* To give an idea of the flatness of the curves, this short table is appended : 

534 yards 35.07552 537 yards 35.07571 539 yards 35.07456 

535 yards 35.07583 538 yards 35.07523 540 yards 35.07364 

536 yards 35.07589 

From this it will be seen how many figures of decimals it requires to detect the 
exact point. 

+ An y man accustomed to make very accurate drawings could plot the curve, but it 
would be better to plot it from the calculated heights than to depend on even the 
very best protractor—the angles are too fine. A scale of 100 yards to the foot, using 
a 30 scale, would be found convenient. 





118 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


With regard to the computations, it will be seen that simple arith¬ 
metic is sufficient to insure perfect results, and those who are con¬ 
versant with that very simple thing, the slide rule, may get close 
enough results to serve every common purpose. 

With regard to the table of angles, and their method of construc¬ 
tion, the first thing the writer has always done is to shoot his rifle 
at 12 yards (a mere convenience as regards the distance—the 1' of 
angle at that distance is one-eighth of an inch, which all foot rules 
give). He shoots at a row of dots, say five, first one shot, with the j 
sight at a guess position—the sight not being divided. The shot 
ought to strike the difference between the axis of bore and the eye, 
or sight line, plus the drop by gravity, which is an eighth of an inch 
for twelve yards, when the speed is about 1,400 feet per second. If 
it does not strike this much below the dot, and the chances are it 
will not, then the error between the place where the bullet should 
strike, and where it actually does, is measured in eighths, and as . 
eighths are equal to minutes, the slide carrying the aperture is screwed 
up or down, as the case requires, the number of minutes wanted to 
make the bullet strike where it should, which can be done by com¬ 
passes stepping off the amount from an already divided sight bor¬ 
rowed from a similar rifle. After a shot or two to verify, a pencil 
line is struck across, and the di visions and Vernier cut. The Vernier i 
should have the power of shifting 10'or more. The rifleman will 
verify the truth of the Vernier position, of course. With the sight j 
so set, the rifleman shoots in all weathers at enough ranges along the 
1,000 yards to enable him to get the angles on which he may event¬ 
ually base his tables. 200, 500, 800, 900 and 1,000 yards would be 
enough. If possible, say ten shots at each range should be made in 
one day. Now, it is clear from what has been said, that as the bullet, j 
flies along the resistance of the air checks its speed, and, therefore, 
gives more and more time than if there was a vacuum for gravity to 
act. The curve must, therefore, get coarser and coarser, and the < 
angle more full for every hundred yards, and that fulness of angle 
will increase in some definite way, and not sometimes faster and 
sometimes slower. 

This increase, too, will depend for its value not only on the mass, - 
but on the proportion of the diameter to the length of the bullet, 
etc., also on its speed. I 

Fortunately the increase of the angle for each 100 yards for the | 




RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


119 


match rifle is so exceedingly near one minute of angle, that if a 
minute be taken to represent the air retardations no error of any 
possible moment will obtain. 

All that remains to be done is to hit on some starting angular 
value, which, with the additional minute for extra value due to air 
resistance increasing the time gravity has to act, will fairly fit the 
mean of observations throughout. 

Now, the angle which is wanted may be really got at through the 
speed. The possession of a ballistic pendulum has enabled the 
writer to construct a table by which, if the proportion of powder to 
bullet be ascertained, the velocity of the bullet may be found by 
inspection. 

The table will be entered further on. 

With the aid of this table of velocities, and of the formulas and 
constants in the Appendix, the reader will see how the value is got 
at of the 9' for the first 100 yards, where a speed of about 1,400 feet 
obtains. 

Where only the angles for each 100 yards range is required, the 
table below can be constructed as follows : 


Yards. 

0. 

. 0' 

Biff. 

Biff. 

100. 

. 9' 

9' 

.. 

200. 

. 19' 

10' 

1' 

800. 

.. 80' 

IP 

1' 

400. 

. 42' 

12' 

V 

500. 

. 55' 

13' 

V 

600. 

. 1° 9' 

14' 

V 

700. 

. 1° 24' 

15' 

V 

800. 

. 1° 40' 

16' 

1' 

900. 

. 1° 57' 

17' 

1' 

1,000. 

. 2° 15' 

18' 

1' 

1,100. 

. 2° 34' 

19' 

1' 

1,200. 

. 2° 54' 

20' 

1' 


This scale, which may be called A, is, the writer finds, available 
for weather giving the flattest trajectory, but he also has scales B and 
C for weather not so favorable. There is, too, some slight difference 
in rifles, and in muzzle-loaders especially, when a large nipple hole 
will let more gas escape than usual. Powder, again, varies a trifle. 















120 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


They are as follows : * 


Yards. 

A 

Diff. 

B 

Biff. 

G 


100. 

9' 

, , 

91' 


n' 


200. 

19' 

10' 

194' 

10f' 

20' 

104' 

300. 

30' 

11' 

3 Of' 

ni' 

314' 

114' 

400. 

42' 

12' 

43' 

12i' 

44' 

124 ' 

500. 

55' 

13' 

56f' 

131' 

574' 

134' 

600. 

.... 1° 9' 

14' 

1° 101' 

14i' 

1° 12' 

144' 

700. 

.... 1° 24' 

15' 

1° 25f' 

15i' 

1° 274' 

154' 

800. 

.... 1° 40' 

16' 

1° 42' 

16i' 

1° 44' 

164' 

900. 

... . 1° 57' 

17' 

1° 59f' 

174' 

2° 14' 

174' 

1,000. 

.... 2° 15' 

18' 

2° 174' 

18i' 

2° 20' 

184' 

1,100. 

.... 2° 34' 

19' 

2° 36f' 

19i' 

2° 394' 

194' 

1,200. 

.... 2° 54' 

20' 

2° 57' 

20f' 

3° 0' 

204' 


The writer here points out that, in the construction of the scales B 
and C, properly the value 1' should alone be altered, if it be the 
alteration of air resistance only which is the cause of the alteration of 
elevation for the same range, whereas he has kept to the 1' and 
reckoned as if the initial speed alone had altered; but the fact is 
that, being desirous to keep to angles not involving endless decimals, 
he found he could assume an alteration f in the initial speed of a 
trifling amount, and still no error of any practical value for such 
ranges as are shot at would arise. In fact, the value of the T 
slightly too favorable for B and C, would balance, for these ranges, 
the error introduced into the speed. 

There is a further item in this interesting branch of gunnery to be 
considered, and that is the loss of initial speed per 100 yards, due to 
air retardation. 

There are difficulties attending the solviug of this problem. 

If, while the air offered resistance to the forward flight of the bullet, 
it offered none to its fall, the problem would be easy, but not only 
does it offer resistance, but this fact has been brought to light, that 
a body falling in undisturbed air will act differently from what it 
would in disturbed air. 

A body falling, and having at the same time no forward movement, 

* Scale A is again entered so that the difference may be seen without a back 
reference. 

t Such an alteration of speed can, indeed, occur. 















RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


121 


will, as it falls, pack the air under it, and so disturb before it actually 
gets to it, whereas a body, with a forward movement, such as a rifle 
bullet, will enter into new and therefore undisturbed air. 

The writer’s ballistic pendulum, unfortunately, has always been in 
a position not to be available for the actual values to be ascertained; 
he hopes, however, to be able to rearrange its position and accom¬ 
plish this, but he computes that, taking the A table of angles as a 
basis, and about 1,400 feet per second as the initial speed, as it in 
fact is, the loss of speed will be represented by the following table, 
as calculated from those angles. Nevertheless this must be said, 
that it is a computation alone, and on a certain assumption which 
involves a possibility of error. 

The writer therefore only gives the table for what it is worth, for 
he has a strong belief, which it is hoped will be soon verified by 
actual ballistic experiments, that the loss is not so great as the 


table gives: 

Distance. 

000 yards 

Velocity* 

, 1,400 feet initial 

100 

66 

1,255 

66 

200 

66 

. 1,136 

66 

300 

u 

1,037 

6 6 

400 

66 

954 

66 

500 

66 

883 


600 

a 

822 

66 

700 

66 

769 

66 

800 

a 

723 

66 

900 

a 

682 

6 6 

1,000 

66 

645 

66 

* 1,100 

66 

611 

66 


4 There is a very apparent disagreement between two statements 
< made in this paper, the one being that the highest part of the 
trajectory is not greatly over the half-way, and the other that the 
speed at 1,000 yards is not half the initial speed. One would be led 
to infer, from the great loss of speed, that the highest point would 
„ be more like at two-thirds of the range, but it happens that the 
falling of the bullet by gravity is also checked by the air resistance, 

* In this table decimals have been omitted, and the nearest foot the calculations 
give, taken. The strings of decimals were interminable. 






122 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


and much more heavily than it would be if it fell with its nose 
pointing downward. In fact it falls broadside, and thus is in its best 
attitude for the air resisting its gravity velocity, a fortunate event, 
for otherwise the trajectory would be far coarser than it now is. 

As the position of the bullet opposing its broadside in its gravity 
fall to the air has been referred to, the writer takes the opportunity 
of pointing out that, though in vacuo the axis of the bullet would 
undoubtedly keep parallel to the initial line, in air the axis of the 
bullet most certainly keeps tangential to the trajectory curve, or so 
nearly so as to be considered tangential. This fact he has many 
years since ascertained by direct experiment, and this has since been 
verified by the Woolwich gunners, by examining the position of the 
six hundred pounder projectiles in their flight. 

It is rather beside the present question of the loss of initial speed 
of the match bullet to give tables of the loss of such speed in other 
bullets, but it may exemplify the massiveness of the air resistance 
to introduce two tables, computed from actual pendulum experi¬ 
ments with express bullets: 


110 grains 

powder , Curtis & 

110 grains 

powder , Curtis & 

Harvey ; 

309 

grains bullet , 

Harvey ; 

366 

grains bullet , 

451 diameter. 


451 diameter. 


Yards. 


Initial Speed 
in Feet. 

Yards. 


Initial Speed 
in Feet. 

0 . 

. 

. 1,918 

0 . 

. 

. 1,765 

25 

. 

1,783 

25 


1,674 

50 . 


. 1,673 

50 . 


. 1,592 

75 


1,578 

75 


1,518 

100 . 


. 1,474 

100 . 


. 1,449 

125 


1,418 

125 


1,384 

150 . 


. 1,347 

150 . 


. 1,323 

175 

. 

1,280 

175 

. 

1,276 

200 . 

• 

. 1,217 

200 . 


. 1,223 

These bullets it will be at once 

seen are short in 

length, in fact 

they are, as 

already stated, for 

express rifles 

; it exemplifies the 


undesirableness of carrying the express system too far, and also 
illustrates the point now in treatment. 



APPENDIX 


It may be interesting to those engaged in gunnery to examine 
the following table which the writer has drawn up for his general 
guidance. 

It gives for the first column the proportions of bullet and powder, 
and the second column the resulting initial speed. 

It is found that these velocities are fairly sound for all usual small- 
arm work, that is, for bores varying very largely and of the usual 
length, and also for charges varying very largely. In the length 
case about 80 times the diameter of the bore has been taken; where 
there is a shorter length a little loss of force will obtain, and vice versa. 

In fact, it is a very good general table for breech-loaders, and 
rather too favorable for muzzle-loaders, say about 25 feet per 
second. 


Lead. 

Powder. 

Lead. 

* Powder. 


2 

_ 1 . 

.2,260 

54 .. 

. 1 . 

. 1,479 

24 ... 

1 

.... 2,000 

6 

. . . 1 . 

1,425 

3 

1 

. 1,850 

64 

1 . 

. 1,374 

84 ... 

.... 1 . 

. 1,750 

2 • • 
7 .. 

. 1 . 

. 1,326 

4 

1 

. 1,670 

74 .. 

. 1 . 

1,280 

44 

.,.. 1 . 

. 1,600 

8^ .. 

. 1 . 

. 1,236 

. • . 

5 ... 

.... 1 . 

. 1,537 




There is a curious 

anomaly worth mentioning in relation 

to the 


zero of rifles. 

It is this, that if a thoroughly accurately made pinhole plug be 
entered into the breech end of any rifle, the construction of which 
permits the eye to see through the barrel, and also an aperture plug 
be entered at muzzle, and if the rifle is then pointed, with its sights 
set to the zero, ascertained by shooting at the 12 yards, at any object, 
say at 100 yards off, and if then the line of bore be examined, it will 
be found that there is a very great difference between the two lines; 






























134 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


instead of there being only about the inch, the eye line is above the 
bore line. 

It happens in all rifles, more or less, and in rifles with the long 
fore end, such as military rifles, the removing the fore end increases 
the amount considerably. 

A rifle, however, having an extremely short barrel does not exhibit 
this anomaly. This peculiarity will develop vertically if the rifle be 
shot as usual, but horizontally if the rifle be fired horizontally. 

The best way to develop this fact is to shoot at such a distance as 
not to mix up the gravity pull with it, say at 35 yards, when the fall 
is half an inch only. 

The anomaly is no doubt due to the total mass of the rifle being 
non-coincident with the axis of the bore, and on the jerk of recoil 
being given (it is like a sharp blow to the rifle, as it happens in less 
than a three-hundreth of a second), the rifle instead of a true recoil, 
has imparted to it such a motion as eventually causes the muzzle to 
jerk up, but of which the first result is to set up a distinct bend of 
the barrel itself, actually forcing the muzzle down below its original 
line. 

It happens that, at just about this moment, the bullet passes the 
muzzle, and so it strikes lower on the target than if there had been 
no such action. In fact it is similar to the action of a fishing rod, 
which if watched while a ‘ ‘ strike ” is being made, will exhibit some 
way three-quarters up a neutral point, above which the rod will 
actually move the contrary way for a short time, before the rest of 
the rod drags this upper part back. 

It is easy to comprehend this objection, that the barrel, especially 
of a match rifle, is too stiff to allow of this, but first it is the fact 
that such a barrel can be easily sprung, even with the two hands, a 
very eyeable amount out of truth (of course it goes back again), and 
that the jerk of the kick is in actual fact like the blow of a hammer*. 

With regard to the improvement of trajectories the writer does not 


* It should be borne in mind that, on account of this “slip down” and its cause, an 
alteration either of the weight of the bullet or powder charge, or any alteration in 
the strength of the latter, will (unless it be small) necessitate a new adjustment of 
the zero point. And it is therefore proper that the Vernier should not be made a 
part of the slider, but be attached to it with a capacity of movement of a few min¬ 
utes each side of the usual position. This arrangement will moreover enable the 
rifleman himself to re-adjust his zero should he find it in error. 



RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


125 


feel that much more can be done to improve them under the terms 
of the weights and charges used. 

No doubt with a heavier rifle more may be done; for instance, the 
writer has 15 lb. rifles requiring, for 500 yards, 45'; for 1,000 yards, 
1° 55'; for 1,500 yards, 3° 25'; and for 2,000 yards, 5° 17'; the initial 
speed being about 1,565 feet per second, but this only because these 
rifles are “ a little bit longer—a little bit broader—a little bit deep¬ 
er ”—than the usual match rifle, which requires about 6|° at 2,000 
yards, and the weights of the bullet and powder in proportion. 

But the trajectory of the match rifle as it stands is very small. Let 
the reader contemplate some of the older curves. The English En¬ 
field musket of 1854, for 1,000 yards, under its very best conditions, 
gave 3!°, and with common cartridges 3f°. 

The writer’s own angles, in 1852, at that range, were worse. 

General Jacobs, whose name has been well known in relation to 
long ranges, was satisfied with very coarse angles, and, though the 
writer cannot at the moment of writing state what his angles were 
at 1,000 yards, he has found it stated that one of Jacobs’ rifles of 
14} lbs. weight, especially built for 2,000 yards range, required 12° 
30' of elevation for that range, whereas, as has been just stated, even 
the 10 lbs. match rifle, with its usual charge, only requires about 
6£°. It is probable that the rifle above referred to as requiring 12° 
30' for 2,000 yards, would demand over 4° for 1,000 yards. 

In conclusion it must be admitted that, in studying that branch of 
gunnery of which this paper treats, a very large field of interest is 
opened to the rifleman, which, while it cannot but make him a better 
marksman, must vastly increase his grasp of the subject, and his 
interest in its higher branches. 


126 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


Concerning the construction of the A, B, and C tables, by aid of 
a formula which will enable the computer to arrive at the angle of 
elevation for any range without having to build up his scale. 

The writer himself takes one yard for his unit of range. The 
formula will stand thus: 

Na+N —— ft 
£ 

where N = the units of range 

and a — the angle of elevation required in vacuo for the first unit 
of range, in the transit of which distance it is assumed that 
the bullet is not retarded by air, an assumption, it is true, 
not strictly correct, but the loss is only a trifle of the total 
initial speed, or about 2 ft. per second. This angle a accurn- 
lates as the distance, 

and ft=the extra angle due to air resistance for the second unit of 
range, and accumulates much more rapidly than as the dis¬ 
tance, as that part of the formula will show.* 

For short bullets, such as the English Enfield, much hollowed, the 

jq - _ \ jq - _2 

formula requires extension, thus: + N—— —-— c, c being a second 

extra angle due to the increased air opposition, but for small bore 
bullets it is not wanted, as the writer has proved by shooting at 1,500 
and 2,000 yards, where the angles, as computed by the above formula, . 
and the actual angle in a calm day entirely free from head or rear 
wind, showed so extremely close an agreement that the disagreement 


* 


Distances. Accumulation. 

1 . (lxl—1)- 5 - 2 = 0 

2. (2x2—1)+2= 1 

3. (3x3—1)-5-2= 3 


Distances. Accumulation. 

4. (4x4—1) -5-2= 6 

5. (5x5—1)-5-2=10 


N—1 

>The application of the formula Na x N g - b will be shown further on. 








RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


127 


was nominal. At 1,500 yards actual angle 4° 1', and at 2,000 yards 
6 ° 15'. At 1,500 yards, calculated angle 4° 3%', and at 2,000 yards 
6 ° 15'. For calculating these values the constants of the scale B 
were used, the angle of the gun being generally about 2 ° 17%' at 
1,000 yards. The 2,000 yards rifles also shot at that range with an 
angle within 2' of the angle of 5° as computed with constants 
arranged to fit the curve for the first 1,000 yards. 

The following will be the contents of the tables A, B, and C 
already given, but for each 100 yards only. 

For table A, speed of first yard, 1,397 ft. nearly. 

Constant a = 0.08505'. 

Constant b = 0.00010'. 

For table B, speed of first yard, 1,376 ft. 

Constant a = 0.08755'. 

Constant b as for table A. 

For table C, speed of first yard, 1,357 ft. 

Constant a = 0.09005'. 

Constant b as for table A. 

N—1 

For example of using the formula of N^+N— b, the following 
will suffice: * 

Say the angle of elevation for 619 yards, table A is required. Here 
N will equal 619, which multiplied by a , or 0.08505, will equal 
52.64595=N«. 

N—1 

Then for N — 7 ^-&. N—1=618, and divided by 2=309, which 
Z 

multiplied by N or 619=19.1271, which multiplied by b or 0.00010= 

19.1271=N^-^—&; and as Na=52.6495 and N^=?&=19.1271, both 

z z 

added together, equal 71.77305, or 1° 11%' + , which is the correct 

angle for 619 yards. 

Again, the formula may be made available for computing the value 
of any other constants. As, for instance, a rifleman may have a 
new gun to try, with a different bore, a heavier bullet, or a more 


* mav be converted into — N—1, which is really to multiply half the units of 

2 2 

the range being dealt with by the units of range next before it. For example : Half 
619 yards 309.5 yards, and the range next before 619 is 618yards; so 309.5 x 618=19.1271, 
which multiplied by 5=19.1271. 







128 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


powerful charge. He may have got his zero true, his elevations for 
500 and 1,000 yards, and require to compute the rest. 

He may proceed thus: First let him get his proportion of powder 
to bullet, and see by the table already given about what speed he 
will get. He will then, by the formula, fall due to gravity =193 
inches x space of time, compute his fall in inches or parts of an inch, 
and convert it into minutes or parts of minutes of angle for his con¬ 
stant a. * The writer uses one yard for this. This constant anyhow 
will not be far from correct, as it depends on initial speed rate alone. 

The second constant, 5, will be got by one assumed for trial, and by 
aid of the formula already quoted trials can be made for the 500 and 
1,000 yards. If the one assumed be too little in value it will give 
angles which, added to Na, will be too favorable at 500 and 1,000 
yards; if too much in value it will do the contrary. If, however, 
it be found that the constants, a and b, while giving correctly the 
angle ascertained by experiment, do not give the 500 yards angle 
truly, then it may be reckoned that the constant a is also not quite 
true, and that it will require correction as well as the constant 5, 
either plus or minus, depending on which way the angle for the 500 
yards is. 

Now, to do this by building up the differentials the whole range, 
every time of trial, is to use up an enormous deal of time, and there¬ 
fore this formula is given to enable the computer to at once get to the 
check points of 500 and 1,000 yards. 

A table is appended at the end of this paper exhibiting the angle 
due to gravity pull from 1,000 to 2,000 feet per second, at 1 yard 
range. 

Ten yards may be taken as N, or 12$, the original unit of the writer, 
adopted by him because by it he could get at a quarter the 1,000 
yards which he desired, but the best value is 1 yard, as it gets all 
but rid of the error that there is no retardation due to air, and there¬ 
fore no b value for the first unit of distance which is obliged to be 
assumed. The computer could, no doubt, take a far smaller value 
than 1 yard for his unit of distance and reduce the error still further, 
but it would be unnecessary, for only about 2 feet per second is lost 
by the bullet traveling the first yard. 

It will be remarked by any computer who tries the scales A, B and 


* This process has been entered at the end of the paper. 




RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


129 


jq-_i 

C by the constants given, by the aid of the NaxN- b formula, 

that though at the ten positions of 100 yards, each of the values are 
as simple as the scales A, B and C give, at all other ranges a string 
of decimals more or less long appears. 

This is due to the writer’s desire to get rid of strings of decimals 
in a set of scales for practical rifle shots, and he arranged his con¬ 
stants so as to give this result by slightly tampering with the constants 
though to an inappreciable degree, until these results were got at. 

It is his belief that it is very difficult to improve the table A. 
Readers may desire to have constants by aid of which, while keep¬ 
ing the initial speed unaltered , they may still, at 1,000 yards, get the 
respective values of the B and C tables for that range, viz., 2° 17' 
30", and 2° 20'. 

In fact, these constants for 2° 17' 30" at 1,000 are 
a =as before, or 0.08505' 

&=as before, or 0.0001050005', etc. 

And for 2° 20', at 1,000 yards, 

a —as before, or 0.08505' 
b —as before, or 0.00011001001', etc. 

The computer may, however, strike off the last .0005, and the last 
.1001, and still involve himself in no appreciable error. 

But taking the two constants (b b) as they stand, the 2° 17'30" at 
the 1,000 yards, call it B2 scale, and the 2° 20' at 1,000 yards, call it 
C2 scale, would stand thus, where the initial speed is unaltered: 


Yards. 

B2 

C 2 

Yards. 


B2 


C2 

100. 

9.025' 

9.05' 

800. 

. 1° 

41.600' 

1° 

43*20' 

200. 

19.100' 

19.20' 

900. 

. 1° 

59.025' 

2° 

1.05' 

300. 

30.225' 

30.45' 

1,000. 

. 2° 

17.500' 

2° 

20.00' 

400. 

42.400' 

42.80' 

1;100. 

. 2° 

37.025' 

2° 

40.05' 

500. 

55.625' 

56.25' 

1,200. 

. 2° 

57.600' 

3° 

1.20' 

600. 

1° 9.900' 

1° 10.80' 

1,500. 

. 4° 

5.625' 

6° 

11.25' 

700. 

1° 25.225' 

1° 26.45' 

2,000. 

. 6° 

20.000' 

*6° 

30.00' 


Compared with B and C tables, it will be seen that at 500 yards 
the angles of B2 and C2 tables are slightly less full, in the first case 
f', and in the second case H', and it is quite possible that these 


* Many parsons prefer to omit degrees, and express the values in minutes alone. 
There is no objection to it except that it has always been usual to use the degree 
for any angle of sixty minutes or over. 




















130 


RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


tables, B2 and C2 may be found, under certain conditions, to suit 
the observed angles preferably to the B and C tables: 


Velocity in 

Angle of gravity , 

Velocity in 

Angle of gravity , 

feet 

fall for first ya/rd. 

feet 

fall for first yard , 

per second. 

or constant a. 

per second. 

or constant a. 

1,000 ...... 

0.1658',etc. 

1,525. 

0.0713' 

1,025. 

0.1578' 

1,550. 

0.0690' 

1,050. 

0.1504' 

1,575. 

0.0668' 

1,075. 

0.1435' 

1,600. 

0.0648' 

1,100. 

0.1370' 

1,625. 

0.0628' 

1,125. 

0.1310' 

1,650. 

0.0609' 

1,150. 

0.1254' 

1,675. 

0.0591' 

1,175. 

0.1201' 

1,700. 

0.0574' 

1,200. 

0.1151' 

1,725. 

0.0557' 

1,225. 

0.1105' 

1,750. 

0.0541' 

1,250. 

0.1061' 

1,775.. .. 

0.0526' 

1,275. 

0.1020' 

1,800. 

0.0512' 

1,300. 

0.0981' 

1,825. 

0.0498' 

1,325. 

0.0944' 

1,850. 

0.0484' 

1,350. 

0.9010' 

1,875. 

0.0471' 

1,375 . 

0.0877' 

1,900. 

0.0459' 

1,400. 

0.0846' 

1,925. 

0.0447' 

1,425. 

0.0816' 

1,950. 

0.0436' 

1,450. 

0.0788' 

1,975. 

0.0425' 

1,475. 

0.0762' 

2,000. 

*0.0414' 

1,500. 

0.0737' 




The construction of this table is as follows: Basis, formula .193 
inches (or gravity fall for 1 second) x square of time. 

(1.) Divide three feet, that is the first yard, by the speed in feet 
(this will give the time the bullet takes to go that three feet). 

(2.) Square the quotient, and 

(3.) Multiply it by the 193 (this gives the gravity fall of the bullet 
at the end of its first yard, in parts of an inch). 

(4.) And divide the product by .010472, or multiply it by its 
reciprocal 95.5 (14-.010472), this gives the angle. 

The three feet is the yard, or first unit of range. 

The speed in feet is the velocity of the bullet. 

The 193 is the distance in inches a body will fall in the first second 
of time. 

The .010472 is the value, in parts of an inch, of one minute of 
angle at 1 yard, or the 3 feet. 


* The whole of the angle column has been docked of their remaining decimals as 
being not required. 












































RIFLES AND MARKSMANSHIP. 


131 


The computer, to escape dealing with a string of decimals without 
any whole numbers, may call the 3 3,000 if he chooses, and pro¬ 
ceed thus : say it is required to get the angle of gravity fall for 
first yard for 1,400 feet per second. 

3,000-7-1,400 is 2.14286 nearly, the square of this is 4.592 nearly, 
and if multiplied by the 193, will equal 886.256, which divided by 
the 10.472, gives 84.63', and 84.63'-r-1,000=0.08463' for the 1 
yard=a, or the first constant¬ 
ly To simplify, 3 and 4 may be brought into a single multiplier, 
so (193 -t 10.472) 18.43, and if the square 4.592 be multiplied by 
it, the product will be as before. 

For many years the writer has given great attention to that 
branch of gunnery on which this paper treats, and he ventures to 
hope that he may succeed in directing the notice of some of those 
riflemen who have hitherto given but little consideration to the 
trajectory question, to a branch of their art which they may be 
assured is second to none in interest or importance. 


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7 





“PERRY’S GREEN BOOK.” 


The following is one of many notices accorded this “ short road 
to accuracy in rifle shooting.'” The verdict is unanimous in its favor, 
there is no competitor in the field : 

{From the Forest and Stream , May 23, 1878.) 

“ Modern Observations on Rifle Shooting, with Improved System 
of Score Book and Silicate Slate for Use on the Range. Second 
edition. Edwin A. Perry, Editor and Publisher. Price, com¬ 
plete, $1. 

“It is difficult to imagine how, in a more compact and convenient 
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practice can require. It is quite a desideratum with one who com¬ 
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it, how shells should be preserved, how powder should be handled, 
and all that is known of bullets are to be found in the book. 
When it comes to the more delicate manipulation of the rifle, the 
precautions to be taken, as to light and wind, the book is particularly 
excellent. Allowances for elevation are minutely given, and nothing 
is neglected. The chapter entitled ‘ Reasons for Failures ’ is very 
much to the point and really explains many of those puzzling points 
which set the tyro at sea when unacquainted with the mysteries of 
rifle shooting. The whole system of team shooting is explained. 
When we state that to all this is added the rules and regulations of 
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left out. When we come to the method of targets, with the sili¬ 
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and have no hesitation in advising all those using rifles on ranges 
to purchase Perry’s book, as it is the best for the purposes intended 
that has yet come under our notice.” 

Address, enclosing $1, 

EDWIN A. PERRY, 

564 Fulton St., Brooklyn. 














































































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1 1 


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WAREROOMS, 177 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 
Send for Circular. 











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